Evaluate The View That Campaign Finance Requires Reform.(30)

Question 1

Paragraph One ➡️ Does Campaign Finance Undermine
Democracy?
= For: The Influence Of Money Undermines Democracy

Answer 1

• Wealthy individuals and special interest groups can exert disproportionate influence on the political process through large financial contributions. This can lead to a system where policies favour the interests of a few rather than the broader public good
• Parties require huge sums to run effectively and have a chance of winning.
• The 2020 US Presidential election was the most expensive in history, with an estimated $14 billion spend by candidates, parties and support groups
  –(Example): Sheldon and Mirian Adelson among largest individual donors in the 2020 election, contributing over 90 million$ to various Republican causes and candidates, including support for Trump’s re-election campaign.

Question 2

Paragraph One ➡️ Does Campaign Finance Undermine
Democracy?
- Against: Regulating Campaign Finance Limits Freedom Of Speech

Answer 2

• Campaign finance doesn’t require reform as it would limit freedom of speech under 1st amendment of the bill of rights
• Can be seen as limiting a fundamental democratic right.
  –(Example): Limiting campaign finance is extremely difficult as a consequence of the fact that the current Supreme Court considers financial contributions free speech, protected by the 1st Amendment.

Question 3

Paragraph Two ➡️ Could Campaign Finance Reform Improve
Transparency and Trust
- For: Regulating Campaign Finance Would Improve Transparency and Trust In
Electoral System

Answer 3

• Voters may feel that elections are unfairly influenced by hidden financial powers, undermining the democratic principle of equal representation
• Loophole, organisations like the Lincoln Project in 2020 spent over $67 million without full transparency about their funding source

Question 4

Paragraph Two ➡️ Could Campaign Finance Reform Improve
Transparency and Trust
- Against: Regulating Campaign Finance Is Practically Impossible And Has
Unintended Consequences

Answer 4

• Those with money will always find a way to influence politics in the US and regulating campaign finance is practically impossible.
• The FECA - sought to regulate campaign finance through limiting the contributions individuals and PAC’s can make to political campaigns in each election
  – (Example): 1000$ Per candidate per election for individuals and 5000$ per candidate per election for PAC’s

Question 5

Paragraph Three ➡️ Does Campaign Finance Lead To Rich And
Establishment Candidates Winning?
- For: Campaign Finance Currently Favours Rich and Establishment Candidates

Answer 5

• Current system disadvantages candidates who don’t have access to wealthy donors. limiting the diversity of viewpoints and options available to voters
  – (Example): 2016 Democratic Primacy, key reason for Clinton’s success was cuz she out raised her opponents, her campaign was fundraising powerhouse, generating around $250 million.

Question 6

Paragraph Three ➡️ Does Campaign Finance Lead To Rich And
Establishment Candidates Winning?
- Against: The Influence Of Campaign Finance On Electoral Outcomes Is
Overstated

Answer 6

– (Example): in 2016, Trump spent less than Clinton but still won, Clinton spent 768 mill, Trump spent 398 mill, Trump still won showing campaign finance ain’t important