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This article looks at Daniel Gaxie’s contribution to the sociology of political parties and activism : his article titled “Économie des partis et rétributions du militantisme“ in the Revue française de science politique, 27 (1), February 1977, p. 123-154. It will focus on the professional dimension of the rewards offered by parties. By drawing on French and international research, this article will provide empirical data to confirm the central role played by the distribution of political positions, with a view to understanding the economics of contemporary political parties. This analysis prompts us to investigate the partially blurred distinction between professionals, activists, and staff, as well as how the distribution of positions is influenced by the electoral cycles that are inherent to political parties.