Judging by the clutter of posters on entry bulletin boards or by the gauntlet of fast-taking young politicos that Freshman must run after registration, one might conclude that participation in political clubs at Harvard is widespread and vigorous. In fact, however, dues-paying membership of all groups totals less than 18 per cent of the College, and even this figure ignores double-membership and the flock of joiners whose last "activity" may be plunking down $1.50 for the privilege of belonging. In the Liberal Union, for example, only 15 of 50 members "regularly attend business meetings," and such is the general pattern. Furthermore, a number of clubs appear "rather relaxed," as one president wryly said, and even "active" members do little.

At mid-term the Dean of Students recognized 13 political clubs and of these, three dominate the scene: the Young Democrats with 224 members, the Young Republicants with 160, and the UN Council with 150. Further down the scale, the Liberal Union has its 50, and the other clubs form a cluster with from 15 to 30 members each.

Motives for signing a membership list range from the hope of launching a lifetime political career to "having an activity" for grad school applications. Many students like the comfortable feeling of belonging, of registering approval for a political philosophy--no matter how vague--and some freshmen would rather pay $1.50 than contend with a persuasive recruiter. The desire to learn more about "the issues" and about practical politics lures many, and the prospect of meeting important government leaders attracts others. Visions of doorbell-ringing, debates and speeches, coffee-hours and committee meetings--all these dance in their heads.

On the other hand, there are powerful pressures not to join. Campus politics is thought a "dirty game," and in some cases the belief is as justified as it is widespread. Spectacles such as the "coup" to overthrow the Council to Study Disarmament, and the vitriolic election battles within the HYRC can only arouse disgust, or perhaps amusement.

Secondly, studies are gobbling up more and more of the week's 168 hours. Amid rueful jokes about "creeping Lamontism," students are finding less and less time for extra-curricular activities of any sort, and many hesitate to devote long hours to dull meetings. Others are content to mutter scornfully, "Boys must have their little games."

One club president after another complains that "student apathy--incredible indifference--is our biggest problem," but none mentioned that this apathy itself is a curious compound. One part is Harvard's way of frowning on enthusiasm; another is the helpless feeling one gets when confronting today's complex issues; and a third is the convenient rationalization that there are no great issues left.

The largest club of them all, the HYDC claims 224 members, of whom roughly a quarter are "pledged to put in two or three hours a week." Partly because of its size, partly because of the energy of its leaders, the club has developed a myth and vocabulary of its own. The president's "machine" is regulary referred to, and "organizational dynamics," the theory of "democratic centralism," "first and second echelons of leadership elite," and "bureaucratic hierarchy" are all considered phrases quite necessary to the club's operation.

In a memorandum to his Public Relations Committee, president Derek T. Winans '60 outlined the club's goal: "Since the 1956 debacle, we literally lifted ourselves by our bootstraps and simultaneously scored impressive gains in organization and membership. In short, we have been laying the foundations for that drive toward national prominence and widespread influence which will bring to the HYDC in the years to come its due recognition." One of Winans' specific objectives is to "acquire sufficient prestige and influence within Massachusetts so as to use our endorsement as a major weapon in the fight for more honest government in the Commonwealth." It is a praiseworthy, but unrealistic hope.

Another phrase tossed around in both the first and second echeons of the leadership elite is "balanced program." Indeed, the HYDC has enjoyed enviable success in providing not only national and local speakers, but also coffee-hours, receptions, debates, and campaigning opportunities.

Of course, such a busy group needs a means of "internal communication," and the mimeographed Democratic Review informs members in witty fashion of the goings-on. Of the annual Christmas party, it said in the lead article: "Tradition shall mix with the liberal spirit, carols with caucuses, and good fellowship preside over all." In addition, the club helps publish the Democrat, "an intelligence service for the people."

Since relations with other groups are important, the HYDC has a Second Vice-President in charge of external affairs, a sort of counterpart to its First Vice-President in charge of internal organization. "Club growth beyond a certain size is almost self-destructive," remarked one officer, "because the social contact of smaller groups is lost, and the resulting bureaucracy may drive out amateurs."

Once called the "West Point of the Republican Party," the HYRC lists 160 members, 20 of whom "would come in and do anything for us." Though the club is most famous for what its president calls "our annual circus," elections are calming down, and candidates are no longer allowed to import a hoard of friends just before balloting time.

Opportunity for Conservatives

Dedicated to "training young people capable of becoming leaders of Republican thought," the HYRC's activities--those that there are--range from "political workshops" to occasional speeches. "There's a crying need for a more balanced program," said president Chris Bayley '60, "and we must encourage more participation on an intellectual level."

Bayley realizes that students "don't like mudslinging at elections," and hopes, by "creating a new public image," to increase membership to at least 200. Perhaps if the members and officers worried a little less about who became club president, and more about who was elected to Congress and what they were doing, more students would show interest.