ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the existence of a "southern syndrome" and introduces the concept of "political opportunity structure." It also considers why long acknowledged—although illicit—forms of political finance have become "scandalous" as a result of the "competitive mobilization" of elites. Scandals connected to the illegal financing of political parties have proliferated throughout Latin Europe. Although the Italian tangentopoli (bribe-city) prosecutions provide the most dramatic case, scandals have also damaged the reputation, credibility and legitimacy of the political class in Spain and France. This phenomenon raises three sets of questions. First there is the specific issue of party finance and its connection with corruption. Second, there are general issues concerning the nature of scandal and the perception of illegality: for while far from new, illicit funding has only recently been the subject of public disapproval, media investigation and judicial prosecution. Third, exploring the connection between party finance and political corruption raises questions about the nature of democracy in the Latin countries.
