Not Just Elections: Personality Traits and Ambition for Political Office.
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| Title: | Not Just Elections: Personality Traits and Ambition for Political Office. |
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| Authors: | Hassell, Hans J. G. (AUTHOR), Hollibaugh Jr., Gary E. (AUTHOR), Miles, Matthew R. (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Political Behavior. Mar2026, Vol. 48 Issue 1, p97-117. 21p. |
| Subjects: | Personality, Ambition, Civil service, Elections, Public services, Judicial selection & appointment, Law students, Rational-legal authority |
| Geographic Terms: | United States |
| Abstract: | Previous research on personality traits and political ambition has focused almost entirely on electoral ambition. In this paper, we specifically examine whether the presence or absence of elections changes the relationship between personality and ambition for public service. Using surveys of U.S. law students, federal bureaucrats, and the general public, we find the same personality traits that predict ambition for elected office also predict ambition for bureaucratic and judicial positions. Additionally, while some types of people are attracted or deterred by the electoral aspects of public service, the relationship between personality traits and an individual's affinity for the electoral aspects of public service are the same as their relationship with other aspects of public service. In other words, elections are not unique in their effects on the types of people who are interested in public service. Instead, they simply reinforce who expresses ambition for public service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Previous research on personality traits and political ambition has focused almost entirely on electoral ambition. In this paper, we specifically examine whether the presence or absence of elections changes the relationship between personality and ambition for public service. Using surveys of U.S. law students, federal bureaucrats, and the general public, we find the same personality traits that predict ambition for elected office also predict ambition for bureaucratic and judicial positions. Additionally, while some types of people are attracted or deterred by the electoral aspects of public service, the relationship between personality traits and an individual's affinity for the electoral aspects of public service are the same as their relationship with other aspects of public service. In other words, elections are not unique in their effects on the types of people who are interested in public service. Instead, they simply reinforce who expresses ambition for public service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 01909320 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s11109-025-10024-8 |
