Description
Book SynopsisFor decades, campaign finance reform has been an on-going topic of discussion. In particular, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA) was heralded as a major breakthrough in controlling the flow of money into campaigns. Almost immediately, political players found other ways to financially manipulate the new laws. Campaign Finance Reform: The Political Shell Game provides an in-depth look at the history of political campaign finance reform with special emphasis on legislative, FEC, and federal court actions from the 1970s to present. In particular, the authors examine the ways that campaigns and independent groups have sought to make end-runs around existing campaign finance rules. Oftentimes the loopholes they find make a significant impact on an election, sparking the next round of campaign finance reform. New rules are then enacted, and new loopholes are found. Like a big political shell game, the amount of money in politics never actually decreases, but instead gets moved
Trade Review'Follow the money' is an apt aphorism for this book. Politically-minded students will learn how money is raised and where the jobs are. Highly recommended. -- Bill Edwards, Columbus State University
Table of ContentsPart 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Chapter 1. An Overview of Campaign Finance Law Part 3 Historical Background Chapter 4 Chapter 2. Political parties and Campaign Finance Law Chapter 5 Chapter 3. NCPAC and the Development of Third-Party Expenditures Part 6 The 527s Chapter 7 Chapter 4. The History of 527 Organizations Chapter 8 Chapter 5. Swift Boat Veterans and MoveOn.org Chapter 9 Chapter 6. Analysis of 527 ads in 2004 election Chapter 10 Chapter 7. Silence Is(n't) Golden: Responding to 527 ads Part 11 Future of Campaign Finance Reform Chapter 12 Chapter 8. The Possible Future of 527s Chapter 13 Chapter 9. The Future of Campaign Finance Laws Part 14 Afterward: Corporations Are Given a Free Rein
