[Global corruption report, 2004] Political finance

Abstract

"Corruption in political finance takes many forms, from the use of donations for personal enrichment to the abuse of state resources. Marcin Walecki’s essay examines corruption in political finance and the way it degrades the political process. It also evaluates the regulations that govern political finance around the globe. Two contributions explore how corruption in the financing of politics can lead to differential access to the political system: Judith February and Hennie van Vuuren consider attempts to level the political playing field in South Africa and Michael Johnston looks at soft money reform in the United States. The World Economic Forum presents data on the extent of political corruption around the world. Transparency International provides a table evaluating the year’s legislative changes in political party governance, funding and disclosure. Illustrating the breadth of new legislation in South America, Bruno Wilhelm Speck contributes an overview of political finance regulation in the region. Finally, Musikari Kombo, a member of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians against Corruption, or GOPAC, shares his perspective as a politician engaged in the fight against corruption in Kenya.