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This is: Report on careers in politics and policy in Germany , published by careersthrowaway on the Effective Altruism Forum.
There is a German version of this post at the bottom.
If you're interested in talking to me about any of this, message me on this forum or send an email to careersthrowaway@protonmail.com.
I publish this anonymously since there are downsides to being perceived as very strategic about one’s career choice outside of this community.
Summary
Careers in and around the German federal government can be very influential, as Germany has significant international weight.
I recommend that students considering such a career should get involved in party politics, apply for scholarships from party-affiliated foundations, complete relevant internships, and study law.
The executive branch dominates the political system in Germany. Think tanks in Germany are (still) quite academic. The political culture in Germany is characterized by legalism, consensus, and a lot of internal coordination.
A good network is indispensable for all political or policy-related careers.
I distinguish between three paths: (1) civil service, (2) party-politics, (3) external advisors.
(1) Civil service
The influence of civil servants can be considerable since government policy is largely shaped by the administration. They often draft legal norms, speeches, press releases, etc. middle management positions have a lot of power.
Prerequisites for Höhere Dienst (highest civil service track) are at least 300 ECTS (10 semesters). The most sought-after candidates are fully qualified lawyers ("legal monopoly"). Entry positions are very competitive. Lateral entry is rare.
It is advisable to work in different departments, especially in the Stabsabteilungen (departments associated with ministerial leadership).
Appointments to top positions are influenced by political considerations. So party affiliation or proximity and networks can be decisive.
Generalists do well in the civil service. The best civil servants are distinguished by their political intuition and political communication skills. They also need patience, perseverance, resilience, and high intrinsic motivation. Mastering "office politics" is important.
(2) Party-politics
I distinguish between decision-makers (usually members of the German Bundestag) and advisors/aides. The latter can again be split into two different roles: (1) strategy/communication aides of individual top decision-makers; (2) specialist policy advisors for Fraktionen (parliamentary groups).
Members of the Bundestag (MdB): They have influence through the legislative process and their public platform. They gain a lot of power through appointments to leadership positions in the Fraktionen and executive offices in government or the administration. The most common way to become an MdB is the slow advance through the party structures ("Ochsentour"). Lateral entries are rare. To succeed, you need to excel at building political alliances and majorities. You should also be able to give the impression of being down-to-earth. You need "political intuition and skill". Good manners, media skills, etc. are also required. Subject matter competence is secondary. For top-level politics, you might need a quality that is best described as "will to power." It refers to the determination to take risks and sacrifices in order to get ahead.
Strategy/communication aides of individual top decision-makers: The influence as a close aide is considerable but depends decisively on the power of the decision-maker they advise. Such aides often follow the decision-makers they advise to their appointed positions. So the best strategy seems to be to gain the trust of "rising stars" within the party. In such a role, you do whatever needs to be done, which usually requires a generalist profile. You coordinate ne...
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