PSC 10100
Money and Politics Paper Fall 2021
Instructions: Please write a 2-page paper (double-spaced) with proper in-text citations and a works cited page. The works-cited page will be your 3rd page.
Context: Many Americans are concerned about the role that independent expenditures and campaign donations play in politics. Their fear is that money gives independent groups and donors the ability to influence public policy. Additionally, people concerned about money in politics claim that independent expenditure groups and donors diminish the voices of ordinary Americans. Citizens United v. FEC (2010) increased concern about money and politics because the Supreme Court ruled that independent expenditure groups (527s and 501) can spend unlimited amounts of money on electioneering communication at any time during an election as long as they do not coordinate with the candidates campaign.
Explain how big money get funneled into politics? Is big money a threat to democracy?
Topics to address:
Campaign Finance LawCitizens United v. FEC (2013)
PACs, Super PACS, Independent Expenditure Groups
Dark Money
Interest Groups
Lobbying, grass roots and astro turf
Required Reading
We the People, chapter 10, Money and Politics (369
We the People, Chapter 11
The Brennan Center, Dark Money,
https://www.brennancenter.org/issues/reform-money-politics/influence-big-money/dark-money
The Brennan Center, Citizens United Explained
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/citizens-united-explained
Center for Responsive Politics/Opensecrets.org, Money-in-Politics Timeline
https://www.opensecrets.org/resources/learn/timeline
Hiroko Tabuchi. 2020 (Nov. 11) How One Firm Drove Influence Campaigns Nationwide for Big Oil. New York Times (Blackboard)
