There is little doubt that political parties require funding in order to function effectively within the political process. At the same time, however, money remains one of the greatest threats to democracy. This challenge is evident across the globe—from large corporate campaign donations in the United States, to drug money infiltrating political systems in Latin America, to corruption scandals that have emerged throughout Asia and Europe. Increasingly, evidence suggests that people around the world perceive politicians as being more concerned with money than with serving the public interest.
Recognizing the many challenges posed by money in politics, as well as the gaps in comparative knowledge on the subject, International IDEA has devoted more than a decade to studying political finance and promoting a range of initiatives. These efforts include stimulating national debates on political finance reform, strengthening institutional capacity, and disseminating comparative knowledge on a global scale.
This publication is based on Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns, a handbook originally published by International IDEA in 2003. By providing a global overview of political finance practices and challenges, the book aims to foster informed debate and encourage actions that can improve the role of money in politics and strengthen democratic governance.
