Recently, in 2010, before the last presidential election (2011) here in Argentina, we had by decree a 'political reform'. It would have been far better to do it by law, but there was such a short time before campaigns started.
Some of the most important changes introduced by the new system are:
- Inability to be a candidate, to people condemned for crimes against humanity (in our case, mainly former members of the dictatorial government from 1976-1983).
- A party needs to have at least 0.4% of the electoral roll as its members, to be able to participate in the electoral process.
- Only physical persons can donate to the campaign. Donations from companies are prohibited.
- The government will give money to the parties to develop their respective campaigns in this way: 50% of the total to be divided equally between all parties. The other 50% based on the amount of votes from the last election.
- Contracting advertisement in audiovisual media and radio by political groups is prohibited.
- Publicity in audiovisual media will be paid by the government, and the function of distributing spaces that can be up to 10 percent of broadcast time among all the contending groups in all media for the purpose of developing their political campaigns is assigned to the National Electoral Directorate; the NED will assign 50% equally between all parties. The other 50% based on the amount of votes from the last election.
The end result: Lots of ugly TV spots in the months previous to the election day. But everyone had the chance to speak in prime time TV spots and deliver their message. Some of the spots were really bad (mostly, the smaller parties... they lacked of the experience I guess).
I can't tell for sure, but I bet that corporations, being prohibited to donate money directly, stimulated their top management to donate (and their families), and then gave them bonuses (so, repaying the money). So, its all the same game. It's very hard to change how politics work.