Controversy
Joke parties sometimes attract considerable criticism from other parties. Opponents say that frivolous parties make a mockery of an important public process, and undermine the prestige of the democratic system. Proponents point out (implicitly by their very existence) that the electoral system is already a joke, and that any damage to the "democratic system" has already been inflicted by the so-called "serious" elements within other parties. Others argue that satire is a high form of political discussion. In countries where political parties receive electoral funding from the state, joke parties are also accused of wasting tax-payers' money. Conversely, proponents of joke parties believe they waste no more money than any other party which receives funding.
Read more about this topic: Frivolous Political Party
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