Making a (Political) Career: Young Party Members and Career‐Related Incentives for Party Membership

Few empirical studies have investigated career-related incentives for party membership, including young members. Through the lens of rational choice, we ask what and active members consider when calculating costs benefits membership. We argue a broad understanding incentives, careers outside politics. The study is based on in-depth interviews with 25 in Sweden. Our main finding that interviewees experience ‘super-dilemma’: Although might political career, they think it important to leave if departs from their perceived ideology. Hence, these must keep non-political career options open. At same time, many express concern membership could negatively affect career.