E3, Ch 18: Business Influence on Govt Flashcards
Nonprofit Citizens United argued that the ban on independent political advertising was unconstitutional. SCOTUS decided that…
…speech was protected regardless of corporate identity. Corporations can spend unlimited funds on a campaign (but cannot coordinate with a candidate).
political involvement
participation in the forming & executing public policy in government
2 approaches to Corporate Political Activity:
lobbying
political spending
largest lobbying clients today (top 2)
- national association of realtors $86mil
- US chamber of commerce $75mil
corporate social activism
form of political involvement: business takes an advocacy position to impact public policy
CSA can help push the ________ to change and it is increasingly expected by _____. However, the challenge is that the action must be _______, not ________.
For example, 42 companies have urged policy makers to pass bipartisan climate policies and support for …
government
shareholders
sincere, opportunistic
rejoining Paris Accord
lobbying
processing of influencing officials to promote legislation in interest of the org, and defeat that which counters interests
“one of America’s most despised professions”
lobbying
what do lobbyists do? (4)
- communicate sentiments of association of company on key issues
- influence outcome of legislation
- help members of Congress get elected
- organize grassroots efforts
grassroots lobbying
mobilizing grassroots, aka individual citizens, who might be most affected by legislation to take political action
cyberadvocacy
using internet to amass grassroots support and enable supporters to contact their legislators
ex. Uber used their app to rally riders to protest at city hall against NYC mayor’s proposal to cap # of delivery vehicles
astroturf/grasstops lobbying
fake groups created and funded by a professional organization or trade association
ex. political campaigns using fake social media accounts to amplify support: false public opinion
coalitions
form when different groups realize they have something in common that benefit from joining forces
coalitions can provide cover for a company wanting to push an agenda without…
its name being attached
the argument FOR corporate political spending is that the supreme court decision in Citizens United ruled that govt…
may not restrict corporate political spending as it equates to free speech
arguments AGAINST corporate political spending: (2)
- businesses not likely to focus on common good
- businesses already have too much power
political action committees, PACs
groups organized to raise and spend $ for candidates, ballot initiatives, and proposed legislation
connected PAC/separate aggregated funds, SSFs
associated with a specific organization, can only raise money from that group (i.e. labor union PAC)
nonconnected PAC
can accept funds from any individual or organization including a connected PAC
super PAC
can raise $ but can’t contribute/coordinate directly with parties/candidates,
instead finance independent expenditures and other independent political activity.
super PACs are required to report donors to…
FEC
hybrid PAC
accept unlimited contributions to a segregated bank account
political accountability
assumption of responsibility for political actions and willingness to answer for them
there are _____ _________ that exist to hide the nature of corporate activities from political view
multiple opportunities
