Mark Moyar is the William P. Harris Chair in Military History.
Courtesy | Hillsdale Archives

Hillsdale students must be willing to venture into the ugly realm of politics, Chair of Military History Mark Moyar said in a lecture on Tuesday. 

In a talk titled “Is a Job in Politics Right For You?” Moyar spoke from his experience as director of the Office of Civilian-Military Cooperation at the U.S. Agency for International Development in the Trump administration. 

He also referenced his book “Masters of Corruption: How the Federal Bureaucracy Sabotaged the Trump Presidency,” which is scheduled for publication in May. While Moyar said the book is mostly about bureaucratic corruption and tyranny, it also holds lessons on political careers and how to choose them.

“Dr. Moyar gave practical advice about networking, how best to use your ‘Hillsdale credentials,’ and get your foot in the door in D.C.,” sophomore Maggie McGee said. 

Moyar pointed out that while a job in politics normally refers to some sort of employment in the government, there are numerous political jobs with think tanks, lobbying firms, and political advocacy groups that should also be considered as politically interested students weigh job possibilities. Moyar mentioned non-partisan political employment opportunities,  such as working in the military, as other options.

“One thing I had never thought about, which Dr. Moyar shed light on, is the best age to work at think tanks and other private institutions,” McGee said.

McGee mentioned the value of working in the political realm in one’s 20s and returning mid-40s.

“The time away in your 30s allows you to climb the ladder and grow your skills so that you are ready to take on a higher position at the same group,” McGee said. 

Moyar began his career in the business world, which he said was valuable because he was able to understand finance management and reshape his views of economics in politics. Moyar later worked for 15 years in the Defense Department. 

“I was willing to put partisanship aside because America was at war,” Moyar said, “and I consider myself an American before a Republican.”

Sophomore Hinson Peed said he was happy to learn about nonpartisan political career options.

“It was surprising to me how he mentioned so many jobs that are apolitical and don’t have to do with partisan politics,” Peed said. “I was glad to hear that there are so many opportunities to do work and help the country without having to engage in circular debates.”

Moyar said he eventually found that the challenges of partisan politics were a necessary sacrifice. 

“I turned to partisanship,” Moyar said, “because of the recognition that partisans wield more power over the country.” 

He cited partisan groups exercising their power in schools by teaching children that American history is racist and by funding abortion and gender-related surgeries. 

Moyar pointed out the downsides of pursuing politics that might not be apparent.

“Students at Hillsdale have pursued the true, good and beautiful; political leaders often prove to be false, bad, and ugly,” Moyar said. 

He also alerted students that politics immerses one in adulthood, even from the sheer number of rejection emails one is likely to get. 

“Your Hillsdale pedigree will impress those you encounter,” Moyar said, “but don’t flaunt it or boast about it.” 

He cautioned against “Hillsdale Exceptionalism” as a mentality that has a reputation in Washington, D.C., and deters students from success in the political realm.

“If you do go into partisan politics, I would recommend that you have a backup plan in your mind,” Moyar said. 

He said the intention of the Founding Fathers was for politicians to spend a short amount of time in government. Spending too much time in the swamp can make people obsessed with politics, he said. 

“Partisan politics often causes people to struggle to interact with people who have views opposed to their own,” Moyar said.

Although he said most politicians are corrupt, Moyar said he hopes Hillsdale students carry on the tradition of virtuous partisans like Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan.

“We should not and cannot leave governing to people of low character,” he said.