Psychological Scrutiny: Who Enters Politics and Why?

Abstract

Chapter 2 uses data on the basic values of elected MPs, local councillors, unsuccessful parliamentary candidates and the public to interrogate 'who' occupies elected office in the palace of Westminster and 'why' they choose to do it. Theoretical arguments are matched by quantitative and qualitative analyses that reveal, for example, a significant difference between the personality characteristics of the governors and the governed. In particular, these results indicate that elected representatives are more motivated by equality, social justice and caring for others (Self-Transcendence values). However, the results also indicate that MPs are more motivated than the public to control resources and be in charge of others (Power values), and that these differences are exaggerated among those MPs with frontbench experience.