Abstract
This chapter addresses the nature and origin of Spanish MPs’ political motivations to enter politics in general and their party in particular, paying special attention to political socialization agencies and processes. Spanish representatives mostly refer to their will to serve the public as the reason to get involved in politics, which fits the “voter server” profile. Early activism in students’ organizations is a relevant source for this public vocation, but family is confirmed as a crucial socialization agency, especially for left-wing families. Family’s effect can be direct (exerted by MPs’ relatives or ancestors involved in politics) or indirect (conveyed by the discussion of political topics at home while MPs were growing up).
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Notes
- 1.
Among the Spanish MPs who admit having relatives in politics, 46% are in fact family in the first degree, while 42% are less closely related to them (including cousins, uncles and the like).
- 2.
Study CIS 2760 (2008) “Memories of the Civil War and Francoism”.
- 3.
The only significant relationship between MPs’ region and their motivation to enter politics is found in Andalusia. Andalusian MPs are more likely than the rest to mention public service as the main reason to enter politics (62%).
- 4.
This is set as the reference category because it is the vaguer—less specific—one, and because it talks to the literature on public service motivation.
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Galais, C. (2018). Political Socialization and Motivation. In: Coller, X., Jaime-Castillo, A., Mota, F. (eds) Political Power in Spain. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63826-3_4
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