Political Recruitment and Party Activists

Abstract

Party organization workers, both during campaigns and between, are typically oriented toward two contexts—the national political scene and the immediate political milieu in which they work. The political complexion of this locale varies significantly, from "sure" to "doubtful" to "lost" territory, for the electoral fortunes of the party in question. Data from field research in both England and Canada are analyzed to indicate both distinctive and equivalent patterns of motivation, outlook, and activities in the two countries. Wilson's incentive typology is shown to apply differently to rival parties in both England and Canada.