In the public sphere

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November 5, 2012 — What type of person wants to run for public office these days? Of course, it can feel flattering to be invited down the path of public service. And a devotion to beliefs could tip us toward heightened participation in the political process.

While there are many rewards that come with serving others, there are plenty of stressors like public scrutiny, criticism, less time for family, and less privacy.

Dan Gottlieb and his guests talk about who’s attracted to public service and why — and what’s at stake for them on a personal level as leaders in the public sphere.

Dan’s joined by Drs. Ashley Weinberg and Lisa Cohen. We’ll also hear from citizens who’ll share their experiences about running in local political races, including Sam Katz who campaigned three times for mayor of Philadelphia. And we’ll have comments from psychoanalyst Stanley Renshon, professor of political science at the City University of New York Graduate Center and author of “Barack Obama and the Politics of Redemption.”

Ashley Weinberg is the author of “The Psychology of Politicians.” He’s a psychologist, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy at the University of Salford in Manchester.

Lisa Cohen is a licensed clinical psychologist who works as a teacher, scientist, and clinician. She is a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Beth Israel Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, where she also serves as Director of Research for Psychology and Psychiatry. She wrote “The Handy Psychology Answer Book” and is a self-described political junkie.

AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais