The topic of public funding for election campaigns is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. It has appeared in various forms over the years, reflecting its relevance to contemporary political discourse. Given its importance, candidates should be well-prepared to address this subject. Let’s examine a specific question that has been featured in past IELTS exams:
Some people think that governments should spend money on election campaigns while others think that political parties should pay for their own election campaigns. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss arguments for government funding of election campaigns
- Discuss arguments for political parties funding their own campaigns
- Provide a personal opinion on the issue
Let’s explore sample essays at different band levels to understand how to approach this topic effectively.
Band 8-9 Sample Essay
Election funding is a contentious issue in many democracies, with some advocating for government support while others argue for self-financing by political parties. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint.
Proponents of public funding assert that it levels the playing field, ensuring that all parties, regardless of their financial backing, have an equal opportunity to present their platforms to the electorate. This approach, they argue, strengthens democratic principles by reducing the influence of wealthy donors and special interest groups. Moreover, government-funded campaigns could potentially decrease corruption by eliminating the need for parties to seek private donations, which may come with implicit expectations of future favors.
On the other hand, those who support self-financing by political parties contend that it promotes fiscal responsibility and prevents the misuse of taxpayer money. They argue that parties should demonstrate their viability and public support through their ability to raise funds independently. This method, they claim, ensures that only serious contenders with genuine public backing participate in elections, thereby streamlining the political process and reducing voter confusion.
In my opinion, a hybrid system that combines elements of both approaches would be most beneficial. A base level of public funding could be provided to all qualified parties to ensure a minimum standard of voter outreach. However, this should be supplemented by limited private donations, subject to strict transparency regulations. This balanced approach would maintain a level playing field while still requiring parties to demonstrate public support through their fundraising abilities.
To conclude, while both government funding and self-financing have their merits, a carefully designed hybrid system could harness the advantages of both approaches while mitigating their respective drawbacks. This would foster a more equitable and transparent electoral process, ultimately strengthening democratic institutions.
(Word count: 298)
Band 6-7 Sample Essay
The topic of who should pay for election campaigns is very important in many countries. Some people think the government should pay, while others believe political parties should pay themselves. I will discuss both ideas and give my opinion.
When the government pays for election campaigns, it can make things fairer. All parties get the same chance to share their ideas, even if they don’t have a lot of money. This is good for democracy because voters can hear from everyone, not just rich parties. Also, if the government pays, political parties might not need money from big companies or rich people. This could stop corruption because parties won’t owe favors to anyone.
But when political parties pay for their own campaigns, it can be good too. They have to be careful with money and only spend what they can raise. This shows that people really support them. It also means that the government doesn’t use taxpayer money for politics, which some people might not like.
I think the best way is to have both government money and party money for campaigns. The government could give some money to all parties that are serious about the election. But parties should also raise some of their own money to show they have support. This way, it’s fair for everyone, but parties still have to work hard to get votes.
In conclusion, both ways of paying for election campaigns have good points. A mix of government money and party money could be the best solution. This would help make elections fair and stop too much influence from rich donors, while still making sure parties are responsible with money.
(Word count: 276)
Band 5-6 Sample Essay
Some people think the government should pay for election campaigns, but others think political parties should pay. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.
When the government pays, it can be good because:
- All parties get the same money
- Small parties can also tell people about their ideas
- Rich people can’t control the election with their money
But when parties pay for themselves, it can be good too:
- They don’t use taxpayer money
- They show they have support from people
- They are careful with money
I think both ways have good points. Maybe the best way is to use both ideas. The government could give some money to all parties. But parties should also get some money from people who support them. This way, it’s fair for everyone, but parties also show they have supporters.
In conclusion, I think using both government money and party money is the best way for election campaigns. It makes things fair but also makes parties responsible.
(Word count: 159)
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Fully addresses all parts of the task with a well-developed response
- Presents a clear position throughout the essay
- Uses cohesive devices effectively and demonstrates a wide range of vocabulary
- Employs a variety of complex structures with flexibility and accuracy
- Contains only minor errors that do not impede communication
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Addresses all parts of the task, though some aspects may be more fully covered than others
- Presents a relevant position, although conclusions may be unclear or repetitive
- Uses cohesive devices but may be overused or underdeveloped
- Uses an adequate range of vocabulary and a mix of simple and complex sentence forms
- Contains some errors in grammar and vocabulary, but the overall message is clear
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Addresses the task only partially, with limited development of ideas
- Expresses a position but it may be unclear or not well-supported
- Uses basic cohesive devices and simple vocabulary
- Attempts complex sentences but with limited success
- Contains frequent errors that may cause some difficulty for the reader
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Contentious (adjective) /kənˈtenʃəs/ – causing or likely to cause disagreement
- Proponent (noun) /prəˈpəʊnənt/ – a person who advocates for something
- Level the playing field (idiom) – to make conditions fair and equal for everyone
- Corruption (noun) /kəˈrʌpʃn/ – dishonest or illegal behavior, especially by people in power
- Fiscal responsibility (noun phrase) /ˈfɪskəl rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪlətɪ/ – the practice of handling financial matters prudently
- Viability (noun) /ˌvaɪəˈbɪlətɪ/ – ability to work successfully
- Hybrid system (noun phrase) /ˈhaɪbrɪd ˈsɪstəm/ – a system that combines two different approaches
- Transparency (noun) /trænsˈpærənsi/ – the quality of being open and honest
- Mitigate (verb) /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – to make less severe or serious
- Electoral process (noun phrase) /ɪˈlektərəl ˈprəʊses/ – the procedure by which people vote in elections
Conclusion
The topic of public funding for election campaigns is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The influence of money in politics
- The role of media in election campaigns
- Regulations on political advertising
- The impact of social media on elections
Remember to always analyze the question carefully, plan your response, and use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate to your target band score. Practice writing your own essay on this topic and consider sharing it in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will help improve your writing skills and prepare you for success in the IELTS exam.