Political Parties in Africa: Challenges for Sustained Multiparty

International Idea
(b) uneven access to resources and (c) limited outreach and geographical coverage.
These factors often tilt the balance of electoral results in favour of the ruling political
party, except in cases of popular revolt over serious political misconduct.
Fear of political parties depending on the private sector and corporate financing—
the ‘money in politics’ issue—has compelled some African countries to introduce
legislation in order to regulate the funding of political parties. The opponents of
private and corporate power funding of political parties argue that:
• It compromises the independence of political parties, which are supposed to
serve public rather than private interests.
• Money corrupts and advantages the ‘high bidders’.
• It stifles internal party democracy and entrenches patron–client relationships.
• It ushers in authoritarian party ‘bosses’.
The proponents of public political party financing defend it on the basis of four
positive attributes:
• In societies where a sizable number of the population subsist below the poverty
line, it is difficult if not impossible to expect political parties to rely on meagre,
if any, grass-roots contributions and membership fees. Therefore, without public
financing, the political stakes become so high that political opponents will be
treated as enemies; this engenders political instability and may invite violence.
• Proportional funding for parties that secure votes above a certain threshold
(for example, between 2 and 5 per cent of the vote) contributes to the equity
principle and makes opposition parliamentarians less amenable to floor-crossing
and sleaze.
• It could be used to achieve other desirable goals by making public funding
contingent on political parties supporting better representation for women,
minorities and young people in political party committees, as well as ensuring
internal party democracy.
• By securing the minimum financial requirements for party functioning, public
finance sets restrictions on private and corporate influences.
Instead of blanket party funding, International IDEA (2003: 9) suggests the alternative
of targeted party financing in two important decisive moments in competitive
politics in particular: elections and election campaigns. If interested money and
Party Structures and Internal Organization