Who Enters Politics and Why?: Basic Human Values in the UK Parliament

Description

Departing from dominant traditions in studies of the UK Parliament and its politicians, Who Enters Politics and Why? approaches the study of elite agency in Westminster from an original and rigorous approach grounded in psychological political science. This unique analysis considers the ways people enter in to politics, and how they represent their constituents as parliamentarians once they are there. Drawing on a survey of more than 100 MPs and in-depth interviews, James Weinberg assesses the demographics and characteristics of UK politicians. Through methodical analysis of attitudes and ideologies, he gets to the core of their motivations and the values that influence Parliamentary behaviour and policy making. This is a fresh psychological approach to political science that exposes the increasing disconnect between MPs and the public, and casts new light on the question of whether we really get the politicians we deserve.

James Weinberg is Lecturer in Political Behaviour at the University of Sheffield and has experience of designing, conducting and publishing award-winning academic research in the fields of political psychology and youth politics.