Approaches and Lessons in Political Career Research: Babel or Pieces of a Patchwork?

Political careers are a classic subject of elite studies. Scholars have sought to understand what affects political profiles and career patterns’ formation. However, political career research is characterized by a variety of approaches and explanations, which often do not communicate each other. A framework that integrates existing contributions is lacking, and this undermines the process of accumulation of knowledge. A comprehensive assessment of the literature is necessary in view of this potentially welcome undertaking. Here, I provide – after a conceptual introduction – an overview of the approaches in political career research, classifiable into two main ‘schools’. I stress theoretical arguments, methodological strategies, and deficits. The note will provide bases for developing further the research field, by underling epistemological, theoretical, and methodological lessons