Most Significant Problem With The Electoral System Is Failure To Reform Campaign Finance Flashcards
(6 cards)
Weaker, attempts to reform campaign finance have failed because of SC rulings and this is more significant
- (FECA 1974) established Federal election commission to enforce and regulate new system after watergate scandal but little impact
- legislation to reform have been overturned by SC to protect 1st amendments
- right for individuals to raise money and campaign is constantly protected
- (Buckley v valeo) ruled limits on PACS infringed against 1stA
Two party system is more of a problem, limits democracy
- FPTP encourages two party domination of all elections local, state and national gov
- limits 3rd parties
- Ross Perot 19% but no ECV
Loopholes in campaign finance have allowed super PACS to flourish
- appeared to have been tackled but have actually continued and worsened in the growth of candidate reliance on them
- ( citizens united v fec ) organisations should be allowed to spend an unlimited amount of political expenditure, same rights as individuals
- led to creation of superpacs
- pacs forbidden from making direct contributions to federal parties or candiates
- have dominated since 2012, use money negatively advocating for the defeat of Obama
- liberal super pacs spent most advocating for the defeat of governor Romney
- worrying trend towards negativity
- allows wealthy individuals and corps to dominate the electoral system
- 2024 pacs spent 2 billion
Electoral college is more of a problem, exec is not directly elected
- indirect nature means candidates campaign on a individual state basis rather than national level so may focus on winning certain key states
- disproportionate influence
- undue power and influence to EC delegates
- 2016 7 delegates voted differently to how their stated voted
- 2024 election result down to swing Pennsylvania, most media attention
The need to extensive finance in elections means that members of congress may focus on fund raising rather than constituents issues
- house of reps 2 year terms short, only have 2 years to fund run next election campaign
- build war chest
Incumbency is more of a significant problem
- cannot have them limits in place
- re-elected because of name familiarity and electoral record
- limits ability for new candidates to succeed if there is an incumbent