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How to Become a Politician: 4 Crucial Steps to Success

How to Become a PoliticianAre you looking into how to become a politician? Living the life of a politician can be a very stressful and demanding job. However, the profession can also be very rewarding and eye opening.

To anyone who is interested in becoming a politician- whether local or federal government- be ready for some tough days and long nights in the office. Before you are guaranteed the coveted seat of a politician, though, it takes a bit of preparation. Here are a few tips on how to become a politician.

 

Becoming a Politician

 

1. Become Educated: Although it is not required that certain politicians hold a college degree – one in 20 members of Congress doesn’t – it is a good idea to get as much schooling as possible.

Not only will constituents like to see a degree on a candidate’s resume, but the things learned in school can actually be helpful for planning a legislative and governmental future. The other aspect of “becoming educated” is studying up on legislature, government policies and voter patterns.

Politics takes a dedicated person willing to devote their whole being to their campaign. Learning the ropes of government is a bit more involved than merely knowing how to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

2. Acquire Funding: Running for a position in politics is also a money game. Printing campaign posters, hosting charitable events, paying your campaign staff and a laundry list of other costs add up to a hefty bill just to run for a position, let alone hold one.

It is also important to have a steady job before running for office. This allows you to then have some money in the bank and establish resources or even potential voters. U.S. news stated that, “Running for office is a job in itself that no one will pay you for.”

Having friends and business connections is another important part of running for office. Connections with prominent people will allow your campaign to rise in popularity.

Be cautious of how much you spend on your campaign – you want to be able to survive afterward if you don’t end up winning.

 

3. Be Friendly: When they step in the polling booth, most voters do not actually know exactly which candidate stands for what issues. However, they will remember a candidate’s behavior and whether or not he or she was rude during an interview.

Cordiality and humbleness are a couple of key characteristics that attract voters. Making connections with voters so that they remember you and what you stand for could be the deciding factor between you and a competent running mate.

 

4. Don’t Let Your Feelings Get Hurt: Politics can be a harsh field that few thrive in. There will be hard times throughout your campaign, but knowing that you could help the lives of thousands of people is a great reward to the hardships you endure as a hopeful politician.

These may sound like some harsh pieces of advice on how to become a politician, but it is only because the politician’s role is a very important one in the United States. These people make, enforce and interpret the laws.

No matter the obstacles, if becoming a politician is your life’s goal then do not let these words, or others, deter you from becoming the next President of the United States (or a Superintendent of Schools, if that is what you so desire). Instead, use them as warnings to avoid road blocks on your journey to political change.

– Sydney Missigman

Photo: Flickr

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The Limitations of U.S. Government on the Economy

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Bloomberg recently posted an article on how the unemployment rate has held steady at 6.7 percent while U.S. payrolls have increased, despite more Americans entering the labor force. This means that Americans who had stopped trying to find work are now renewing their job hunt. The limitations of U.S. government have had little to do with this hopeful sign. Here’s why:

1. People Assume The President Has Too Much Power

When it comes to economic policy, aside from tariffs or taxes, the Federal Reserve has the more relevant hand in the interest rates banks charge for loans, savings accounts, capital accounts and stocks.

The Federal Reserve controls the money supply by tinkering with bank reserve ratios or how much currency a bank can hold. The President can affect inflation through drastic action, such as removing the gold standard (see Richard Nixon).

2. People Assume The President Has Too Little Power

The economy is not some ethereal being who lords over all controlling prices and jobs. The economy is the public. It is a market, in which people trade and consume, and income and prices fluctuate accordingly. The Federal Reserve simply reacts to the behavior of people, not the other way around.

It all hinges on something called aggregate demand, or how much the general population wants to consume and buy. The government does best when it does not interfere in markets at all. The Great Recession occurred because too many people put all their eggs in the housing bubble basket. The Great Depression occurred because people stopped consuming, lowering the money supply, and demanded money from banks with insufficient supply. Even now, as the unemployed population rejoins the workforce, they do so because of choice.

3. It all Runs in Cycles

Businesses and the markets they operate in run on cycles. There are booms, recessions and recoveries, and eventually this cycle repeats. It’s the ebb and flow of economics. If anticipated correctly, the cycles could pass through without any serious repercussions. However, the length between these cycles vary so widely, the public, the Federal Reserve, and the government often seem to forget about them. As a result, policies and behaviors are enacted that can prove detrimental once the cycle restarts.

This view of economics not only applies to the United States, but to the world as a whole. The power of the markets should lie with the people, and in a way, always has. Unless the government is linked directly to markets or totalitarianism, its economic power is somewhat limited. The government can guide and suggest movements for businesses, but at the end of the day, its not the government, the Federal Reserve, or the President that determines the one’s livelihood: it’s the individual.

– Matthew Price

Sources: Bloomberg, Daily Infographic
Photo: Housing Works

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Creating Change Through Community-Based Programs

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Traditionally held beliefs and social values are stubborn to change through government policies and legislation. In many societies, this includes social acceptance or tolerance of child marriage, child labor, domestic violence, discrimination, rape and sexual abuse. Government policies have difficulty eradicating these practices because not only are these practices deeply ingrained in their societies, but governments of developing countries are often unable or reluctant to protect those who are most at risk.

Community-based programs have the power to transform these traditionally held beliefs.

Through groups, individuals are educated about their legal and humans rights. These programs utilize community groups to change social norms through collective discussion and decision-making. Communities can address, prevent and respond to the problems that exist in their circles.

Democratic participation of the families and children is a key proponent of boosting the success of these programs. Individuals, such as women and children, who are usually marginalized in communities, are given the chance to share their stories.

A case in Ethiopia shows the capability of community-based programs to change social norms. In 2000, female genital mutilation (FGM) was still extremely widespread in Ethiopia. A local NGO, Kembatti Mentti Gezzima, began working to “empower women and communities to fulfill their rights and to be free from abuse” by organizing public workshops called the Community Conversations. They were held twice monthly for at least a year to facilitate discussion and promote understanding of the harmful practice of FGM.

In 2008, a review study found that only 3.3 percent of respondents still practiced FGM. The community not only altered traditional practices of FGM, but changed the legal norms surrounding it as well. This in Ethiopia demonstrates that creating change through community-based programs is a slow process, but it can lead to lasting social and legal transformation.

At the moment, there is relatively weak empirical evidence to support community-based programs. Organizations largely focus on collectively qualitative evidence and testimonies from the communities. However, beyond anecdotal support, organizations can use a program evaluation with a high quality methodology, data collection and data analysis to ensure a strong evidence base that includes more quantitative evidence.

Short-term successes are projected to be limited, while long-term successes are anticipated to be long lasting and highly beneficial for the communities.

In many developing countries, government policies cannot reach those in need due to weak and lack of enforcement. However, community-based programs have the potential to bottom-up reform and alter beliefs that discriminate against the marginalized and the weak.

– Sarah Yan

Sources: UNICEF, CPC Conference
Photo: UNICEF Australia