Up-and-Comers

Abstract

Abstract This chapter revisits a classic issue in democracies: the role of the experience of political leaders. Based mostly on an innovative statistical analysis, it demonstrates that the much-vaunted novices, whose transformative energy was endlessly evoked during the campaign, did not accomplish much by way of reforms. Rather, they were swiftly relegated to junior positions in the parliament while other newly elected but more experienced MPs had a very different fate. Along with former staffers and aides, who had learned their trade from senior politicians, the latter captured virtually all the key positions of power. Having identified this inertia, the chapter explores its causes. Experience, acquaintances in high places, and a sense of entitlement born in their accelerated and successful career, make them central actors.