📋 Written Ability Test (WAT)/Essay Analysis Guide: Should Political Parties Be Required to Disclose All Sources of Campaign Funding?

🌐 Understanding the Topic’s Importance

Campaign funding is at the core of governance and democratic values. Addressing this connects leadership ethics with public trust—a crucial consideration for B-school aspirants.

📑 Effective Planning and Writing

• ⏱️ Time Allocation (30 minutes):
  • Planning: 5 minutes
  • Writing: 20 minutes
  • Review: 5 minutes
• 📝 Structure:
  • Introduction: 60-70 words
  • Body: 350-375 words (Achievements, Challenges, Global Perspectives)
  • Conclusion: 60-70 words

💡 Introduction Techniques

1. Contrast Approach: “While transparency fosters accountability, donor anonymity protects privacy. Finding the right balance is key.”
2. Global Reference: “Globally, transparent funding practices are tied to stronger democracies, yet implementation remains contentious.”

📋 Structuring the Essay Body

• 🏆 Achievements:
  • Highlight transparency tools like Electoral Bonds.
  • Provide examples of ethical governance through funding disclosures.
• ⚠️ Challenges:
  • Discuss donor hesitation, policy biases, and uneven resource allocation.
• 🌟 Future Outlook:
  • Recommend partial transparency, digital audits, and donor incentives for disclosure.

📄 Concluding Effectively

• Balanced Conclusion: “Transparency and privacy must coexist to ensure both ethical governance and donor protection.”
• Global Comparison: “India can learn from global models while customizing solutions to its socio-political needs.”

📊 Analyzing Successes and Shortcomings

• 🏅 Successes: Electoral Bonds, spending limits.
• ⚠️ Shortcomings: Lack of strict audits, uneven playing fields.
• 🌍 Global Context: Reference U.S. and U.K. systems for perspective.

📋 Sample Short Essays

• Balanced Perspective:
  

  “Campaign funding transparency can strengthen democracy, but overregulation might deter legitimate donors.”

• Solution-Oriented:
  

  “Encrypted audits and public funding can ensure accountability while maintaining donor privacy.”

• Global Comparison:
  

  “India must adapt best practices from global peers to balance donor anonymity with public trust.”

📄 Source: WAT and GD preparation frameworks, 2024.