THE SOCIAL PROFESSIONAL POTENTIAL OF THE MAYORS OF IRKUTSK REGION: THE ROLE OF POLITICAL COMPETITION, PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE, AND CULTURAL CAPITAL

Shindyaev Vladislav Vasilyevich

The article presents the findings of a study of the social and professional potential of mayors of municipalities of the Irkutsk region. Analysis of data from the territorial election commission on candidates and elected mayors for the period from 2000 to 2022 made it possible to characterize both the general potential of the entire body of candidates and the implementation of this potential in the form of social and professional characteristics of the elected mayors. The analysis included an assessment of the candidates' cultural and social capital, their political and professional experience, as well as the role of political motivation and political competition. It was revealed that the main factor determining the professional level of mayors is their political experience, and, especially, the status of incumbent. Such experience provides political socialization and symbolic capital, but at the same time prevents access to the position of mayor for people with high cultural capital, but not included in the political power system.

Keywords:local government, municipalities, mayors, professionalism, cultural capital.