ABSTRACT
Political parties in Western democracies obviously perform functions crucial for the political system. Private sponsorship used to be the normal way of funding political activity in Western democracies. All Western democracies must confront questions regarding the financial dimension of party government. The various elements of a "party structure" consist of the party organization, legislative party groups, and party-directed institutions. In many countries subsidies-in-kind provide infrastructural support for party activities. The Austrian "party academies," copying the German model only partially, are more closely defined as service institutions for the major parties. The central campaign expenses of British parties over time have largely oscillated around the same proportion. In Canada, Australia and the US public subsidies are closely linked to campaign expenses. Campaign finance laws regulate the amount a candidate may spend for a campaign or the amount a donor may contribute to a campaign.
