"Efforts to reform the U.S. campaign finance system typically focus on the corrupting influence of large contributions. Yet, as Raymond J. La Raja and Brian F. Schaffner argue, reforms aimed at cutting the flow of money into politics have unintentionally favored candidates with extreme ideologi...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben

Hauptverfasser:	La Raja, Raymond J. 1965- (VerfasserIn), Schaffner, Brian F. (VerfasserIn)
Format:	Elektronisch E-Book
Sprache:	English
Veröffentlicht:	Ann Arbor University of Michigan Press 2015
Schlagworte:	Polarisation collective Campaign funds Elections & referenda Polarization (Social sciences) Political parties POLITICAL SCIENCE Politics & government Electronic books
Online-Zugang:	Volltext
Zusammenfassung:	"Efforts to reform the U.S. campaign finance system typically focus on the corrupting influence of large contributions. Yet, as Raymond J. La Raja and Brian F. Schaffner argue, reforms aimed at cutting the flow of money into politics have unintentionally favored candidates with extreme ideological agendas and, consequently, fostered political polarization. Drawing on data from 50 states and the U.S. Congress over 20 years, La Raja and Schaffner reveal that current rules allow wealthy ideological groups and donors to dominate the financing of political campaigns. In order to attract funding, candidates take uncompromising positions on key issues and, if elected, take their partisan views into the legislature. As a remedy, the authors propose that additional campaign money be channeled through party organizations - rather than directly to candidates - because these organizations tend to be less ideological than the activists who now provide the lion's share of money to political candidates. Shifting campaign finance to parties would ease polarization by reducing the influence of 'purist' donors with their rigid policy stances. La Raja and Schaffner conclude the book with policy recommendations for campaign finance in the United States. They are among the few non-libertarians who argue that less regulation, particularly for political parties, may in fact improve the democratic process."--Publisher description
Beschreibung:	1 Online-Ressource
ISBN:	0472052993 047212160X 047290003X 9780472052998 9780472121601 9780472900039
Zugangseinschränkungen:	Open Access