La regulación del dinero político

Abstract

The money used for financing political parties and election campaigns is regulated in most democracies, so as to prevent quid pro quo corruption and stop inequalities in economic resources among individuals and social groups from being transferred to politics. This paper deals with the rationale for the regulation of political money and proposes measures for bringing the information and agency costs inherent in political representation under control. Its purpose is threefold. First, to state the problems of political financing in the language of economic regulation theory. Secondly, to show that the means available to regulators can only partially achieve the intended goals. Thirdly, to uphold the idea that full disclosure of contributions to parties and candidates and setting ceilings on electoral expenditure are the most promising ways of restraining the influence of money in politics.