Discussion Issue 3: Public Funding
Public subsidies for parties and candidates are the most widely used instrument of political finance regulation in the world. Political finance scholars and experts have recognized that there is no one ideal system of public funding, though commonalities between systems exist. As part of its research on Global Standards for Political Finance, IFES is exploring public funding in the global context. A major point being made is that the design of a public funding system must depend on the goals that reformers are trying to achieve.
The report discussed the following six potential goals and seven aspects of the system design.
| Goals |
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Aspects
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Increase capacity in election campaigns
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Provider of funds
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Level the playing field
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Eligibility criteria
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Institutionalization of parties
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Recipients (parties/candidates)
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Reduce political corruption
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Activities funded (election/ongoing)
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Reduce role of money in politics/elections (also if not corrupt)
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Types of funding (direct, indirect)
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Encourage reform (e.g. gender equality)
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Distribution mechanism (proportionality)
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Timing of distribution
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A table has then been created which outlines the consequences for each aspect of the design of each of the goals. This is a new endeavor, and your comments as to whether we have got it right would be must appreciated. You will find the table here.
Discussion Issue 4: Enforcement
Be it disclosure or regulations on public funding, a meaningful discussion of these issues cannot take place without some discussion of enforcement of political finance regulation. It has been widely acknowledged that without proper enforcement political finance laws and regulations are of little value, and may contribute to a general disrespect for the rule of law. Therefore non-enforcement has often been viewed as the greatest challenge to political finance regulation. In this context, IFES is exploring recommendations for the international community on enforcement and seeking comments on the following:
- In the global context, what have been successful methods for promoting voluntary compliance?
- What kind of international obligations for political finance enforcement exist and how might they be improved?