Political careers in Canada: Expectations and realities of federal political lif

In the past few years the Canadian public has increasingly viewed their federal politicians with a mixture of scepticism and contempt. The success of the Reform Party suggests that Canadians are open to embracing a new style of politician and are dissatisfied with the more traditional notions of political representation in Canada. Before accepting the assumption that different types of politicians can thrive in the parliamentary environment, however, it is important to understand how and why parliamentarians behave in the manner they do.;This dissertation examines how members of parliament view their own careers in the Canadian House of Commons, the factors which sway the career choices they make, and how they adapt to the formal and informal rules of Parliament. The dissertation adapts and tests two different theories of career choice. The first, rational choice, is rooted in utilitarian self-interest and suggests that individual politicians are motivated by a desire for continual promotion. It sees politicians as risk minimizers, perpetually concerned with their own electoral security. The second theory, new institutionalism, suggests that member's personal goals are motivated as much by institutional forces and loyalty as they are by egocentric ambition. This view suggests that members eventually adopt institutionally instilled values as their own.;The dissertation finds support for both frameworks. Most members of parliament try to maximize their opportunities for promotion while minimizing electoral risks. At the same time, once elected, most members embrace political goals that are compatible with both the formal and informal structures of Parliament.;The dissertation concludes by suggesting that future studies of Canadian political careers and career expectations would benefit from using an amalgam of the two frameworks presented here. Such an amalgam would recognize the strength of rational choice in highlighting how MPs take advantage of opportunities for advancement while not ignoring the effectiveness of new institutionalism in emphasizing how members' expectations are tempered by institutional history and socialization.