This book is one of 23 volumes of research commissioned by the Royal Commission on Electoral Reform and Party Financing, and one of five volumes within this series dealing specifically with party and election finance. Because the issue of money in elections is as old as democracy, the experience of other countries is instructive. The studies in this volume offer Canadians information about approaches to funding political parties and elections in the United States and Western Europe. The studies by Herbert Alexander and Robert Mutch exmaine how the United States has approached issues such as contribution limits and the disclosure of election finances. The latter study provides explicit comparisons to Canada, noting the constitutional roleof the Supreme Court in each country. Jane Jenson draws on Western European experience to propose and assess reforms for the public funding for party foundations is documented by Michael Pinto-Duschinsky. The studies approach theirm aterial from a historical perspective, noting the uniqueness of the constitutions, institutions, and traditions of the countries reviewed. The authors provide background essential to any consideration of whether foreign experience might serve as a model for Canada.

This document contains papers on the following topics, an evaluation of disclosure arrangements in Canadian political finance; some evidence on the effects of incumbency in the 1988 Canadian federal election; official agents in Canadian elections; electoral competition, campaign expenditure, and incumbency advantage; capital-intensive politics; public funding of political parties, candidates, and elections in Canada; independent candidates in federal general elections; large contributions to candidates in the 1988 federal election and the issues of undue influence; and an economic analysis of the funding of political parties in Canada.

Election Broadcasting in Canada explores the role of media in Canadian politics. David R. Spencer, David Hogarth, Catherine M. Bolan and others look at the history, legal framework, and difficulties in election broadcasting, as well as the impact of new broadcasting services.

The two studies in Interest Groups and Elections in Canada explore the nature and influence of special interest groups. They consider different aspects of the question, "In the context of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, how can the laws intended to secure a fair electoral process be reconciled with freedom of expression?" Janet Hiebert reviews the limits on interest groups adopted in 1974 and amended in 1983, profiles the groups involved int he 1988 federal election, and discusses relevant legislation and jurisprudence in the provinces and abroad. She concludes that spending limits for parties and candidates will only be effective if there are also restrictions on independent expenditures during elections by groups and individuals. Brian Tanguay and Barry Kay assess the influence attributed to locally oriented interest groups, including by members of Parliament, and conclude that these organizations have less influence on the political process than is the popular view. The authors conclude that dissatisfaction is a key variable explaining the role of these interest groups and their activities during elections.

This volume features differing views of past, present, and possible future roles for Aboriginal people in the Canadian political and electoral system.

Media And Voters In Canadian Election Campaigns

This document discusses party financing in Quebec with an analysis of the financial report of parties 1977-89, initiatives and challenges to the Ontario party and campaign finance system, paying for the politics of British Columbia, the evolution of political financing regulation in New Brunswick, and party financing in Alberta focusing on low-impact legislation.

Media, Elections and Democracy examines campaign communication in selected industrial democracies. Klaus Schoenbach, Karen Siune, Doris Graber and a host of authors around the world contribute critical overviews of the systems in their countries. The studies deal with a wide range of issues in modern communication, including the principles and practices of news and public affairs coverage and the impact of new technologies.

This important contribution to the study of Canadian elections forcefully argues that knowledge of the dynamics at the local level is essential to a full understanding of Canadian polity, its underlying social basis, and the factors that determine successful election campaigns. As such, Parties, Candidates, and Constituency Campaigns in Canadian Elections will intrigue not only political scientists and students of Canadian politics but also election candidates and party strategists.

The studies in this volume examine women's involvement in political parties both past and present.