Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/333517 
Year of Publication: 
2025
Series/Report no.: 
WWZ Working Paper No. 2025/03
Publisher: 
University of Basel, Center of Business and Economics (WWZ), Basel
Abstract: 
A functioning democracy relies on individuals motivated to take on political office. In recent decades, concerns have grown across Western democracies about increasing political alienation and a declining willingness among citizens to engage in politics. To systematically assess this phenomenon, we introduce the concept of latent political engagement defined as an underlying, non-specific motivation to take on the responsibilities of a political mandate, whether or not it ultimately results in an actual candidacy. To capture it, we propose four survey questions. We fielded them using a large-scale, nationally representative survey of Swiss citizens in 2023. We present descriptive evidence for differences across various socio-economic groups and contextual factors. In particular, we find that individuals who are deeply invested in their municipality - whether through homeownership (economic capital) or membership in local associations (social capital) - exhibit higher levels of latent political engagement. Moreover, municipality size emerges as a key predictor, with small jurisdictions being particularly conducive to fostering a willingness to take on political mandates. Additionally, we provide evidence of language-cultural differences, as native German-speaking individuals are substantially more likely than French speakers to have ever considered holding political office.
Subjects: 
Local democracy
political engagement
political ambition
political selection
JEL: 
D72
J45
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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