ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the profile of Scottish Green members in 2002 was any more distinctive, in terms of social characteristics, political experiences, and motivations for joining the party. In 1990, 75 per cent of all members were below the age of 45, giving the membership a fairly youthful profile. It is difficult to explain this change in membership profile, but it seems that the Scottish Greens have not been particularly successful at attracting young people into political activity. The political context in 2002 had changed beyond recognition for the Scottish Green Party. While the party had been fighting elections in Scotland for over two decades, for much of this time the Scottish Greens had been completely overshadowed by a political system balanced in favour of the major parties. Motivations for joining the party also appear very similar. Most of the evidence points to the influence of collective incentives, which may be positive or negative.
