I’m thinking Australia and the UK. We frequently hear complaints that politicians don’t have life experience, and it is so true. Most study politics/art/business at university, then get a job in unions or aspects of politics. They do everything good (or bad) to make an impression, and move up the ladder until they are loved enough to get nominated to run for office.
It is very dog-eat-dog and rewards people who smile a lot but are also back-stabbers and corrupt. Not all, but many. Some people get ahead from genuine charm, intelligence, care and honesty. They are not the norm, though.
If we want more trust in politicians, then we need to end the club.
We need guidelines – not hard and fast, someone will always be outside of the criteria, but a plus for the party.
Guidelines like:
- Lived experiences in the real world
- No relationship to those in high power
- Two terms maximum if they do not rise to a cabinet position (or the like)
- Maintain their real world career!
The last is of course controversial, as we expect full-time work from our representatives. But I remember when the All Blacks were amatuer, and we heard commentators saying that players are farmers or policemen or lawyers or hairdressers (Aaron Smith) in their day job. It made them real, not freaks.
When the government is not in session (which is a lot), they should spend half of their time in a real job, not some cosy “position”.
A party can mandate that, there would be no legal issues. Real People for a Real Australia!