Such dynasties are quite common in American state and local politics as well. Former US vice president Al Gore's father was a senator, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's son was a cabinet official under president Bill Clinton and campaign manager for Gore. Teamsters Union president Jimmy Hoffa's son is now filling his father's shoes in the same slot. Three seem logical. First, access to the political system in most countries is costly in terms of money and only those who can afford the time, money, resources and have the requisite connections find an entry into what is often an exclusive if not closed club.
Political lineage buttressed by money helps facilitate that entry.
Bush, Gore, Tanaka and Arroyo fit the bill for what can be termed as politicians from establishment families, with enough credentials due to a famous political surname ensuring a place on the political pedestal. Then there are those who are respected for rendering services to their country during crucial periods like the independence struggle - hence, their legitimacy is unquestioned and widely accepted. The Nehru family in India, Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar, Megawati Sukarnoputri in Indonesia, Hafez al Assad in Syria, and Kim Il-sung are some examples from this genre. Finally, there are those whose leadership is etched in the popular imagination, and for people to identify with such a charismatic leader comes almost automatically. Bhutto, Bandranaike, Peron of Argentina, Ziaur Rahman and Mujibur Rahman in Bangladesh, the Kennedys in the United States all were populist with charisma, which is then sometimes transferred to their scions and close relatives.