Abstract
This article tackles the question to what extent former cabinet members go through the so-called revolving door by starting a second career in the private sector, and what factors make them likely to do so. After a cabinet position, career advancement in the political and public sector is difficult. Therefore, ex-ministers will seek positions that provide prestige, power and high enumeration in the private sector. Factors on the demand-side of the private sector, and personal commitment of the ministers are investigated to explore patterns of the revolving door. Empirically the study draws on a new data set of career paths of German ministers from 1949 until 2014. The analysis indicates that among German ministers the revolving door is not very common, but there has been a significant increase since the 1980s. The study provides support for several demand-side explanations, but more mixed patterns regarding personal commitment factors. This suggests diversity of minister career goals and that ministers typically do not systematically plan a second career in the private sector.
