The next section of my book spoke about what the author refers to as "long-term significance" of local government and the reason, over and above previous reasons, why he believes local government to be so important. The primary manifestation of this theory is that local government serves as a "testing ground" both personally and ideologically for state and national politics. That is to say that many national level politicians began their careers at a local level, they would fall into the author's second category of local politicians: those that are using local government as a stepping stone to higher office. For these individuals local politics acts as a screening process that prevents incompetent or dishonest officials from rising to higher office (at least theoretically). If people are less aware of local politics than it is far easier for unsavory individuals to climb the ranks of local politics until they reach higher office. The same process repeats on a theoretical level with many federal and state government policies originating at the local level before spreading. Furthermore, many political parties ideologies and movements originate at the local level before eventually having national or even international significance. The author's view of this phenomenon, one I agree with is that the direct importance of local government is not the only reason why people should participate, its long-term importance alone provides a reason for increased awareness.