The problem of how the state should allocate subsidies in kind between different candidates and different parties is illustrated by what is usually the most important such benefit in modern elections - free time on television and radio.
Equal Shares
If competitive elections are being held for the first time after a period of non-democratic rule, the only practical and fair way to divide the available free time on television and radio may be to give each party the same share. This is because none of the emerging parties will have a track record, and it will be difficult to establish criteria to judge some to be more significant than others.
Nevertheless, 'equal shares for all' has both theoretical and practical disadvantages as a method to divide broadcasting time, and it can be no more than a temporary expedient. The disadvantages of 'equal shares for all' are:
- there may be such a profusion of small political parties that they will be able to obtain no more than a brief amount of time each. It will therefore be almost impossible for electors to distinguish and understand their many messages.
- the system will encourage the establishment of minor splinter parties.
- the system is likely to benefit an existing regime, whose case is likely to be well known, since the opposition case will be fragmented.
Proportional System
Where a political system is already established, and where changes in public opinion are only gradual, a fair method of dividing time may be on the basis of the proportion of votes gained by each party at the previous general election. However, even this is open to controversy, as discussed in a previous entry, see Level Playing Field, Fairness.
Other Allocation Methods
Where democratic elections have become established, but where there are sharp changes in the shape of public opinion, and possibly newly emerging political parties, an attachment to an allocation of time based on previous electoral performance may unduly handicap parties which are new or which have greatly increased their appeal (as seen in partial elections or in opinion polls or in some other way) since the previous general election.
Israel and Britain (see Formulas for Allocating Time) use allocation methods that take account of such changes.
In Israel, the allocation of broadcasting time is based on a compromise between the status quo and the new situation.
[e]ach party, including those which were not represented in the previous parliament, has been given ten minutes and each party already represented in the outgoing parliament receives three additional minutes for each member in the parliament.5
In Britain, the initial process is less formal. A committee is formed from representatives of the broadcasting authorities and of the political parties. The committee tries to agree on a fair allocation. In the past, this has consisted of a number of elements. First, the two main parties have received equal shares. The share of the third party - the Liberal Democrats - has been based partly on the result of the previous election, and partly on its subsequent performance in partial elections, local government elections, and in the polls. Moreover, the formula has usually given the third party a share which is, on the one hand, smaller than that of the main parties, and on the other hand, larger than its pro rata share, as measured either by its previous or current political showing.
The formula that has normally emerged has, therefore, reflected a compromise between a number of conflicting ideas of 'fairness'. Moreover, it has reflected the fact that the broadcasting authorities have the final authority to decide on what they consider to be a reasonable allocation, if there is no agreement between the political parties. Finally, if the broadcasting authorities make a decision in the wake of disagreement between the parties, it is open to any of the parties to take the matter before a court of law. It will then be up to a judge to decide what is 'fair'.
This system of bargaining in a committee has normally worked fairly well. But it is uncertain whether it could be duplicated successfully by countries with different political cultures, see Public Broadcasting Allocations.
Draft Only
