UPSC Prelims 1997 · General Studies
Question 49: Polity and Governance
State Funding of elections takes place in
AnswerThe answer is (d).
State funding means that the government pays for parties or campaigns from public money. Germany and Austria are the pair in which parties receive regular public funds from the state, linked to the votes they win. Elsewhere the support is partial or of another kind, such as reimbursement of campaign expenses or funds for presidential campaigns only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) The USA gives public funds only for presidential campaigns, and Canada reimburses part of the expenses.
- (b) Britain and Switzerland had no general state funding of election costs.
- (c) France and Italy gave some public support, but of a more limited or different kind.
- (d) Right: Germany and Austria fund parties from the state.
Worth knowing: France and Italy also gave parties some public money, so the options are not cleanly separated; the key goes with Germany and Austria.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1997, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.