Campaign Finance and Party Funding Flashcards
how does financial scandals impact the US
Supreme court (McCutcheon v. FEC) shows that of the many things that go through the supreme court to find out if it’s constitutional
how does financial scandals impact the UK
Frequent allegations of party funding scandals -> Labour in “pockets of union” (all legislation that passes through parliament is constitutional in the UK.)
how is state funding seen in elections in the US
Federal matching funds -> money given to a presidential candidate given by the federal government to match the money raised personally; only for final candidates
how is state funding seen in elections in the UK
Short money -> state money paid to opposition parties to help them cover the administrative costs for scrutinising govt.
RATIONAL UK
- Unions donate to Labour for trade union laws.
- Businesses donate to Conservatives for favourable policies.
- Minor parties (Liberal Democrats, Green Party) prefer state funding.
RATIONAL US
- Interest groups donate for electoral outcomes and access.
- Minor parties (Libertarian, Green) favor state funding.
CULTURAL UK
- Limits on political spending (e.g., no TV ads).
- Party Election Broadcasts allocated to main parties.
- Donations from businesses, unions, individuals.
- Hard for new parties to emerge.
CULTURAL US
- Tradition of free political spending.
- Political parties compete in the free market.
- Donations from businesses, unions, individuals.
- Difficult for new parties
STRUCTURAL UK
- Reforms (2000 Act) promote transparency.
- Easier to reform campaign finance due to parliamentary sovereignty.
- Charity laws limit direct donations to parties.
STRUCTURAL US
- Reforms (1971, 2002 Acts) regulate donations.
- First Amendment limits spending restrictions.
- Supreme Court rulings complicate reforms.
