Money, Politics, and Democracy

In 2004, Jean Chrtiens Liberals banned corporations and unionsfrom contributing financially to political parties. In 2008, oppositionleaders were prepared to defeat the Conservative Party over itsproposal to eliminate public subsidies to parties. In this book,prominent political scientists explore the underlying issues that ledto the showdown. Are publicly funded parties compatible with democracy?What effects has party finance reform had on elections and on thebalance of power between parties and donors and between nationalparties and local organizations? Contributors show that campaignfinance reforms have shaped party organization and electoralcompetition, contributing to successive minority governments.