User:Pieceofmetalwork/sandbox/Politician

Professional background
In the Western world, most politicians have a background in social science, especially law, whereas in many East Asian countries, such as China and Singapore, often the majority of politicians have a background in exact sciences. During economic hardship, economists rise in politics, such as in Indonesia. Especially in the United States, lawyers are the dominant profession in politics. Worldwide, almost 20% of politicians is lawyer by profession whereas only 7% is an engineer. A scientific study showed that lawyers were after political activists the professionals that were most likely to consider a career in politics. In Italy, university professors would traditionally often move to a career in politics.

Dispite this, scientists are often active as political advisors behind the scenes.

Alexis de Tocqueville wrote in his book Democracy in America: "the government of democracy is favorable to the political power of lawyers" It has been suggested that the public exposure in politics would be favourable for the professional career of lawyers, making them more likely to engage in politics. The profession of lawyer may also have overlapping competencies with the profession of politician.

Quara question

Markoff, J., & Montecinos, V.. (1993). The Ubiquitous Rise of Economists. Journal of Public Policy, 13(1), 37–68. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/4007544