What is Political Capital? What does the term mean?
Political capital sounds like a financial term. Capital generally refers to resources, and in many instances, money. So one might assume that political capital was the amount of money candidates raise for their campaigns. One point is right in that assumption. Capital is a resource, but it does not refer to money solely. Political capital is how well or how little a politician, elected official, or candidate is liked. Capital refers to the overall image, and not specifically to money or other resources, individually. Resources are not independent of one another, but components of the total equation.
Within the definition of political capital, one usually considers the broader image. Hence, we have identified ten factors that comprise political capital.
The leader's ability to raise money for the campaign and subsequent projects.
This factor is not about the dollar total per se, but rather about the voters willingness to back a particular person. Individuals, corporations, and organizations speak with their funds. If they believe that a candidate can do something, they contribute financially. If the belief is not there, money does not follow.
The leader's ability to get things done.
Whether the politician is running for the first time or the tenth time, there needs to be an air of accomplishment. People need to see firsthand that the candidate has the resources and the clout to change things, and to implement the programs promoted as part of the campaign platform.
The leader's ability to keep the masses pumped up.
Once candidates are elected to office, they must be able to maintain the attention of their voters. Their images must remain intact, and they must continue to do the things expected of them.
The leader's ability to stay out of trouble.
Several political figures have successfully weathered the storms of improprieties. But the truth is, not every can do that. More often than not, a tarnished image will destroy a candidate's career.
The leader's ability to be taken seriously.
There are many people who run for elected office, maybe as a mayor or even a council person in a city. If they are seen as buffoons in the normal course of their lives and daily jobs, then they will have little to no political capital. No-one respects them or takes them seriously.
The leader's ability to maintain political
capital when decisions are tough. When a politician must choose between doing the right thing which is unfavorable, and doing the favorable, then political capital invariably wanes. Despite the fact that a new law or bill might be in the constituents' best interests, people quickly turn on leaders. They must remind the people what they have done in the past, and try to persuade them to accept that this is the right course of action.
The leader's ability to stay in the public eye.
People need to be reminded of elected officials. They need to see their pictures in papers, on the internet, and in the community. The candidates and leaders need to be seen doing good deeds.
The leader's ability to rally the troops.
When things need to get done, or times are tough, elected officials must be able to call on friends, supporters and acquaintances to get the rest of the constituents on board.
The leader's ability to treat everyone equally.
This is an important, yet often intangible asset. People tend to classify leaders in pockets such as "the rich people's man" or "the minorities go-getter". What happens, though, if the leader does not appear to be giving the "chosen group" what they wanted, political capital is lost very quickly. In fact, leaders must respect everyone.
The leader's ability to turn a negative into a positive.
You will often hear opponents say that a candidate is just trying to muster up political capital by grandstanding on issues. On the other hand, people may be listening and are swayed to a candidate who is superior to the competitor at working the political capital game.
Indeed, political capital can be achieved in many ways. But, it does wane at times, and rise at other times. As a result, political capital is not a constant.
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