How to start up in politics

Well, in Ireland you tend to be born into a career in politics. If your Da hasn't given you his seat in the will you're already behind the curve. Other than that, the only qualifications you need are a huge amount of cynicism - the rest will come naturally.

Secondly, the idea of people investigating a "career" in politics is troublesome to me. It almost disqualifies you in my eyes from ever being a political representative.

Politics is a pretty vague term. Generally, the appellation of "politician" is taken as being synonymous to "elected official" but this isn't entirely true. A politician is simply an individual who, as a profession, works in politics. Thus, we can deduce that a politician need not ever win an election but rather, they simply are involved somehow in governance or any other activity that could be deem political.

Now that that's cleared up, the question remains as to just what it is that you wish to do. Do you want to become an elected official or do you simply wish to work in politics? My inclination is that the former is the case and if so, there is no clearly defined path. My advice would be that you start out by getting involved in local politics. Many people who do rise to office start out as an election aide for a party or individual. This isn't very grandiose but it would introduce you to the world of elections and it would give you a taste of what it takes to win a vote.

Besides that, I would advice you to study politics and I don't simply mean that you should read RTE articles or watch broadcasts of the dail. Don't fret over qualifications or any of that because it's not what you hold on paper that will get you what you want, it's what you know. Many of the greatest political minds in history had little formal training, they learned the art of politicking by study and observation. More than almost any other profession, politics requires a shrewd mind and a nose for an opportunity, these are skills that can not be taught, they must be learned.

My advice would be that you start out by reading some of the great books on politics. I suggest that you begin with the Prince by Machiavelli because I can think of few better book on the mirthless reality of human nature. Prepare yourself well because even if you have good intentions, the reality is politics is a game of manipulation.

As a final note, just bear one thing in mind, some of the most influential and successful politicians in history never won an election. Why, because they didn't have to

to be honest it's a balls of a job and I'm quite convinced that the entire system exists solely to sap any creativity and initiative out of young people coming into the business. I've seen politics from the grassroots level growing up. Get yourself a council seat. The unfortunate thing is that you're better off being a state employee doing that so you can take a 'work break' to facilitate this. Many talented people don't have the luxury to leave their job and have it waiting there for them if the politics gig doesn't work out.

Get involved in your party. Never mind the other parties vying for a potential Dail seat you're running for. The realy enemies lie within your own party so be prepared for squabbling over getting on the ticket and loads of BS over territories and vote management.

So, you win the election and get to the Dail, well done. Are you still feeling motivated, have goals and a drive to achieve them? Not quite as much as starting out but it's still there? Good for you! Now, sit on the back benches and be forced to follow idiotic government policies drempt up by a cabal within the party with one eye on fundraising and another on getting elected next time round. In order to do this they'll have to keep the monied types happy so policies will no doubt reflect this. They'll also have to get elected so, instead of actually doing something, they'll prevaricate and dodge issues if they can at all. Something requiring decisive leadership will be fudged and end up either not getting done or getting half done but costing twice or three times as much. You, as a back bencher, will be forced to follow this line and go on local radio as an apologist for this farce. You will also need to get your name in on every policy decision made that affects your local constituents so you'll be forwarding letters either by mail or inappropriate use of social media reiterating government decisions, wording them to make it sound like you personally lobbied for these all along and the decisions are a result of your tireless efforts.

Surprisingly, even at this point, you still have some modicum of vision, drive and improvements you want to see happening in your country? Congratulations! You've been reelected and you've been identified as a rising star in the party. You get to be a Junior Minister or even a Minister. Now's your chance to put in train some of those innovative policies you've been dreaming up since your schooldays. Not so fast! In addition to maintaining the party's circle of monied benefactors and needing to protect your seat, you now face unwarranted pressure from lobby groups and Unions as you try to push through your reforms and plans. As the govenment you are a part of is largely spineless, like all governments before, nobody has ever stood up to the Unions and vested interests. You face a hard choice. You can probably push through one of your innovative ideas in whole or a lot in part. If you decide to push one through you face standing up to the vested interests on all sides buy you do that. It's hailed as a genuine reform however yoru stock wains in the party due to having crossed one too many in getting your victory. If, on the other hand, you decide to compromise and get as many policies pushed through as possible, nothing concrete comes at the end of the process. the policies designed to make real improvements and cost cuts actually only go half way and cost twice or three times as much as envisaged. You release briefing notes so the back benchers can go on local radio defending this farce.

Still up for the job?