Description
Book SynopsisMethods of campaign financing by US political parties have been controversial since George Washington first ran for office. Critics of reform argue that it would decrease electoral turnout and the amount of information voters receive about candidates. This text analyzes these criticisms.
Trade ReviewGoidel, Gross, and Shields provide a valuable service to those interested in campaign finance reform in bringing state-of-the-art empirical analysis to proposed reforms. Proponents of reform will find the book a valuable resource. Students in courses on elections and Congress will appreciate the well-organized discussions of reform's history, FECA loopholes, reform alternatives, and pro and con arguments. -- Douglas Rose, Tulane University * Political Science Quarterly *
Their analysis of three approaches to campaign finance reform - do little, moderate, and comprehensive - argues for a comprehensive approach with an emphasis on full public financing of congressional elections. -- R. A. Strickland, Appalachian State University * Social and Behavioral Sciences *
The book has something for every reader. For the political science novice it provides a thorough look at the role of money in politics and at various reform proposals. For the advanced student or professional it provides a provocative argument for comprehensive reform that challenges many of the conclusions in the contemporary literature. -- Bruce F. Nesmith, Coe College * Perspective On Political Science, Vol. 29, No. 2 *
Money Matters is well written, current, fact filled, and, at times, provocative. The scholarship is sound and well grounded in the literature, which is given an extensive review. The authors challenge many of the assumptions that have come to surround proposals for campaign finance reform, especially those proposals designed to reduce expenditures. This is a timely book on a timely topic, unlikely to be rendered passé. -- Charles S. Bullock III, University of Georgia
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introducing Campaign Finance Reform Chapter 2 A Brief History of Campaign Finance and Campaign Finance Reform Chapter 3 Excessive Spending, Candidate Viability, and Free Speech Chapter 4 Electoral Competition and Campaign Finance Reform Chapter 5 The Question of Voter Turnout, Part I Chapter 6 The Question of Voter Turnout, Part II Chapter 7 Democracy and Citizen Involvement: Campaign Spending and Cognitive Engagement Chapter 8 FECA’s Loopholes: Soft Money, Independent Expenditures, and Issue Advocacy Campaigns Chapter 9 Improving the Electoral Process through Campaign Finance Reform
