FINANCING OF WORLD AND TURKISH POLITICS ON THE PATH TO HIGH-QUALITY DEMOCRACY

Abstract

Democracy is a very expensive form of government. Political parties receive donations from various sources in order to conduct elections and their routine activities. However, this flow of resources, some of which are questioned, has serious consequences in maintaining the integrity of democracy. On the other hand, a growing number of countries have paved the way for public subsidies, aiming to reduce dependence on questionable funds, to equalize the political opportunity and to bring more transparency and accountability to democratic processes by supplying funds directly to parties and political activities. In our country, researches are being made to take the necessary steps on the way to high-quality democracy. In this research on the significance of the financing of politics in the world and in Turkey, it is aimed to clarify the issue in the light of the relevant researches conducted in Turkey and around the world, to identify the differences in practice and to present a list of options suitable for Turkey. The research is based on a multi-method design and on evidence sources. Country case studies were selected from all regions of the world in order to compare public policies and to trace the underlying historical processes of campaign financing reform in specific contexts. The comparison shows that several factors produce a significant political financial reform in each case and often create pressures for new legislation by combining a mix of long-term historical conditions and short-term catalysts in general.