Advantages and disadvantages of state funding of political parties


	Advantages and disadvantages of state funding of political parties
	Advantages Would reduce parties dependence on vested interest and wealthy individuals, allowing them to be more responsive to the views of the masses. This would make them more democratically responsive. Would create a level playing field for parties, removing unfair wealth advantages. Would improve the performance of parties by allowing them to function more effectively, as they would have to waste less time and energy on fund raising.	Disadvantages Providing parties with state income may weaken their links to larger society, which are formed by seeking financial and electoral support. May create a bias in favour of existing parties if the level of funding reflects past party performance. May reduce the independence of parties, making them part of the state machine and less likely to advance policies which go against the interests of state bodies.
	Evaluation

Would reduce parties dependence on vested interest and wealthy individuals, allowing them to be more responsive to the views of the masses. This would make them more democratically responsive.
Would create a level playing field for parties, removing unfair wealth advantages.
Would improve the performance of parties by allowing them to function more effectively, as they would have to waste less time and energy on fund raising.

Providing parties with state income may weaken their links to larger society, which are formed by seeking financial and electoral support.
May create a bias in favour of existing parties if the level of funding reflects past party performance.
May reduce the independence of parties, making them part of the state machine and less likely to advance policies which go against the interests of state bodies.

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