What is the career in the field of Political strategy?

It is said elections are fought on emotions and that they are an art. But running an election campaign is no longer just an art. With stakes getting higher in every election, campaigning has now become a science. From using social media and data mining to behavioural analysis and psychometric profiling, political parties today are leaving no stone unturned to win elections. And it’s the political strategists and consultants, working behind the scenes, who help political parties come up with winning campaigns. Political strategy and consulting firms have mushroomed across the country over the last decade and are in great demand. So if you are interested in politics and have good communication skills, you can consider the field of political strategy.

How it works

Political parties no longer lead campaigns, with strategies formulated by their loyal workers sweating it out in dusty lanes to win over voters. Today, political campaign strategists and managers have a different approach. The strategists offer end-to-end to a politician or a political party, and start work five to six months ahead of the election. They offer data services, which include poll-booth data of each constituency, historical data on how the seat has witnessed a shift in voting patterns as well as on-ground surveys to understand the concerns of the voters (from electricity or minimum support price for grains and jobs to savings, increase in food prices and at best, survival), and then create a campaign and advice the politician and ground workers to implement the same.

Required skills

  • Political acumen
  • Knowledge of how social media can be best used to boost political campaigns
  • Ability to gauge the efficacy of the campaign
  • Strong communication skills
  • Ability to come up with fresh ideas
  • Public relation skills
  • Ability to think on one’s feet

Scope

Political strategies and managers work with political strategy firms or as independent consultants. They specialise in different aspects such as press and public relations, polling, opposition research, fundraising, and a wide range of other skills to deal with the crises of a campaign.

Among these, social media has become extremely important. Political social media strategists advice and train politicians on how to interact on social media platforms. The strategists also maintain, the public relations aspect of a political campaign. Responsibilities of a political social media strategist include planning and conceptualising, designing, execution and the promotions of digital campaigns.

What to study?

A Bachelors and Masters degree in Political Science is a requisite. While Indian universities offer these degrees, universities abroad offer specialisations in campaign management.

Where: India

  • Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi: Masters of Arts (MA) and Master of Philosophy (M. Phil) in Political Science
  • Delhi University: BA (Hons), MA, MPhil and PhD in Political Science.
  • Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi: BA (Hons), MA and PhD in Political Science
  • St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai: MA in Public Policy
  • University of Hyderabad and Pondicherry university: Five-year integrated MA programmes in Political Science, with an option to exit with a Bachelor’s degree after three years by completing mandated number of credits

Abroad

  • London School of Economics and Political Science BSc and MSc Political Science
  • Fordham University, the U.S.: MA in Elections and Campaign Management
  • University of Bournemouth, the U.K.: MA International Political Communication and MA in Political Psychology
  • University of Glasgow, the U.K.: MA (Hons) in Political Science

 

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