It seems to me that one of the issues you’re touching on is what we mean by the third/voluntary sector. Many people working within organisations that fall into this bracket are becoming increasingly ‘professional’ – much of the time this is no bad thing, and often it is essential for them to stand any chance of achieving their goals.
But of course, there is a big difference between people being paid to do the work, and people volunteering to do this. People don’t get paid to vote, and taking this thought further, much of what I find admirable about the third/voluntary sector is what gets done by people who are not paid to it.
That’s not to say that I agree with the aims of every charity or the motivations of every volunteer, just as I don’t agree with every voter!
Perhaps one of the reasons that charities do attract more support than political parties is because they tend to be more focused on a particular cause or issue. It’s easier to feel enthusiastic about an organisation that helps children in need than an organisation that is all about having to make compromises (politics being the art of the possible). This links to a range of interesting drivers, such as engagement in formal politics
On a personal note, I got interested in politics when I started volunteering (and then working for!) a local charity. And again, looking at my life outside of work, I’ve had virtually no ‘invitation to engage’ from local political parties. Finally, there’s also a debate to be had about how representative and accountable politicians are (or indeed can be)!
Dal
It seems to me that one of the issues you’re touching on is what we mean by the third/voluntary sector. Many people working within organisations that fall into this bracket are becoming increasingly ‘professional’ – much of the time this is no bad thing, and often it is essential for them to stand any chance of achieving their goals.
But of course, there is a big difference between people being paid to do the work, and people volunteering to do this. People don’t get paid to vote, and taking this thought further, much of what I find admirable about the third/voluntary sector is what gets done by people who are not paid to it.
That’s not to say that I agree with the aims of every charity or the motivations of every volunteer, just as I don’t agree with every voter!
Perhaps one of the reasons that charities do attract more support than political parties is because they tend to be more focused on a particular cause or issue. It’s easier to feel enthusiastic about an organisation that helps children in need than an organisation that is all about having to make compromises (politics being the art of the possible). This links to a range of interesting drivers, such as engagement in formal politics
On a personal note, I got interested in politics when I started volunteering (and then working for!) a local charity. And again, looking at my life outside of work, I’ve had virtually no ‘invitation to engage’ from local political parties. Finally, there’s also a debate to be had about how representative and accountable politicians are (or indeed can be)!