Do I need a college degree to get started in politics?

Discussion in 'New Member Introductions' started by Felicia Daniels, Mar 13, 2017.

  1. Felicia Daniels

    Felicia Daniels New Member

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    I'm new to this forum and wasn't sure where to post my question.

    I've read that some politicians have a college degree and some don't.

    I do have a high school diploma but wasn't sure if I needed to obtain a college degree or not? And if it would help me get my foot in the door better?

    If so, what kind of degree should I focus on? Or, should I simply read books on political policies, law, business, etc and start out as a volunteer and work my way up?

    - Felicia
     
  2. Woolley

    Woolley Well-Known Member

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    You should always try to get a formal education simply as a way of improving your own life. You should always read constantly throughout your life. If you keep reading, you will learn continuously. As you age, what you read will become more important than what you learned in college. At the beginning though, a college education is a way to get started. If you like politics, use forums like this to explore why you believe what you believe. You may be shocked to realize just how little thought most of us put into our belief systems when actually confronted by an alternate point of view. Good luck.
     
  3. ArmySoldier

    ArmySoldier Well-Known Member Past Donor

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  4. gc17

    gc17 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    A degree never hurts. First requirement common sense, second, thick skin, politics is a blood sport. Third, don't meet with the Russians unless you're a Democrat
     
  5. Felicia Daniels

    Felicia Daniels New Member

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    I want
    I want to run for President. I'm only 28 so I have 7 years before I will be eligible to run. Until then, I want to learn everything I can and gain political experience. No military experience.
     
  6. ThirdTerm

    ThirdTerm Well-Known Member

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    Most political figures are also qualified as lawyers and I recommend you to go to law school after graduating from college with a law degree. Hillary and Bill Clinton graduated from Yale Law School, which is the power center of American politics. Those politicians without this type of education are usually from wealthy families.

     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2017
  7. ArmySoldier

    ArmySoldier Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    That, or the military route. Military officers pave a great path to the Presidency. But that also requires a degree and some form of a higher degree.
     
  8. Ole Ole

    Ole Ole Banned

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    First I will say law in every country is justice. Police and also Military is justice. More jobs after education is fine from government. Who did you support 2016 and want to vote 2020 ????

    Wilkommen to forum.
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2017
  9. Durandal

    Durandal Well-Known Member Donor

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    I think a small loan of a million dollars would suffice.
     
  10. Moonglow

    Moonglow Well-Known Member

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    Law is the degree most politicians have, by far...Not that they know a lot of good laws, just who to hire to find out if they are good ones by public opinion..
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2017
  11. Greataxe

    Greataxe Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    There has been only one President with little formal education. That was President Lincoln. He was basically self-taught in many subjects. That was a different age, and now, the best you could hope for is to be mayor of a small town.

    I don't know your political leanings, therefore I can't give you any advice.
     
  12. Moonglow

    Moonglow Well-Known Member

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    Trump has a degree in landscaping and hair sculpting..
     
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  13. Deckel

    Deckel Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    That is mainly because lawyers have the flexibility of being able to work their way up the food chain from local or state government, go back and forth, and still be able to support themselves. Not many people can afford to take months off to do politics and have a job waiting for them when they return home.
     
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  14. perdidochas

    perdidochas Well-Known Member

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    If you want to be more than a county commissioner, you need some kind of degree.
     
  15. Publius_Bob

    Publius_Bob Active Member

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    Welcome Felicia Daniels...

    Depends on the area of politics to which you aspire. Some specialties in politics almost certainly require levels of expertise obtained through higher education. Another factor might be where you live or where you want to live...

    Reading books and learning everything you can will help shape your world and political views. One subject noticeably missing from your reading list and perhaps the most important is history. Without any consideration or thought towards politics however is learning all you can about the subjects that you are most passionate about.

    If you want to create legislation understanding law would seem important, but not necessary, as underlings do most of the sausage making these days.

    You'll learn that all politicians always have their foot in the door and an extended hand (for cash) during campaign season--which begins the day after elected. So those skills are essential. Also, politicians are adept at straddling the fence when asked to take a position on important issues--another important political skill--as is talking out of both sides of the mouth.
     
  16. VietVet

    VietVet Well-Known Member

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    Well, depends on party. GOP looks down on education - they have gems like Scott Walker (governor)- College drop-out. Rick Perry (governor)- BA in Animal Science. The so-called President, a BA with no honors. No military is fine, just be pro-war - any war. Also be sure to thump the bible.
    Donald Trump declared in February that he loved "the poorly educated." And people with less formal education — generally less than a college degree — loved him back, helping him win the Republican presidential nomination.
    Voters with a high school degree or less lean Republican by a whopping 26 points — 59 percent to 33 percent.

    If you are a democrat, study science, economics, history, law, and ethics. Get at least a Masters. Honors are good (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude)
     
  17. Moonglow

    Moonglow Well-Known Member

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    Being self employed allows that flexibility..
     
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  18. Deckel

    Deckel Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    It does which is why you see a lot of lawyers and family-owned business men as state and federal elected people. Bob from the factory might be able to swing a local government seat but factory isn't going to hold his job generally.
     
  19. Steady Pie

    Steady Pie Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Having done degrees in philosophy and political science, I can comfortably say you should adopt a rigorous reading plan instead. The courses run at university tend to be complicated ways to avoid reading the source material in full.

    Get yourself some knowledge on what to read. Start with the classics. A History of Western Philosophy by Bertrand Russell is a good start for philosophy, it will let you branch out as you see fit.

    _________________________________

    Sometimes though it's not your knowledge which matters but the irrelevant piece of paper. Politics is one of them.
     
  20. Ritter

    Ritter Well-Known Member

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    Unless you aspire to become something very specialised like molecular biologist, neurologue or to enter some other valueble field like engineering or economics, a degree is highly overrated and won't automatically give you a job.

    Like most kids, I grew up hearing "if you do not study, you'll become a garbage-man!" Graduating high school, I had no clue what to do. Took two years off and had some lousy jobs before I realised "maybe I should study so I can get a decent job!"

    I now have a degree in social anthropology and some courses in political science and media/communication to put on my resumé, but it does not really lead anywhere but to jobs that require no qualifications.

    Don't be like me. :p

    I think it is better to just work and gain yourself intellectual knowledge by reading books on your spare time. Education is over-fetishised and, many times, unnecessary...Unless you really want to study, of course.
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2017
  21. Ole Ole

    Ole Ole Banned

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    Hey. My darling friend from USMB. It's nicier here I can belong. :donut: :donut: :donut:
     
  22. Moonglow

    Moonglow Well-Known Member

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    Less biased, one sided lambasting crap filled threads?
     
  23. Moonglow

    Moonglow Well-Known Member

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    Time is in essence a great factor, but so is lying with a straight face..
     

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