Out of the Golden Cage: PR and the Career Opportunities of Policy Professionals

Abstract

This article focuses on “policy professionals”—people employed to affect politics and policy making rather than elected to office, and their career motivations and considerations. What do they see as career opportunities and limitations? What resources do policy professionals offer on the job market? How are status and hierarchy on their particular labor market perceived? Special attention is paid to the possible transitions from current job into other positions and arenas. The study pinpoints the “golden cage” problem: the problem for organizations positioned outside party politics to properly evaluate the distinct skills of policy professionals. The key position of the public relations agencies in this regard is highlighted. The article closes with a discussion of some democratic implications of the arguments and findings, such as anticipatory adjustment of behavior in public office, the potential merging of political elites, and the supply driven growth of the policy professional stratum.Related Articles French, Edward, and Doug Goodman. 2011. “.” Politics & Policy 39 (): 761‐785. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2011.00312.x/abstract Howlett, Michael, and Adam M. Wellstead. 2011. “.” Politics & Policy 39 (): 613‐633. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2011.00306.x/abstract Brill, Sam, and Abby McCartney. 2008. “.” Politics & Policy 36 (): 750‐774. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2008.00133.x/abstract