Question 1

Analyze the argument that campaign contributions are a corrupting force in American politics. In what ways could individual contributions, PAC spending, and independent spending influence the policy decisions Congress members make? What are the arguments that these forms of campaign money do not affect the behavior of members of Congress?

Accepted Answer

Campaign contributions have long been seen as a corrupting force in American politics, as they have the potential to influence the policy decisions of Congress members. Individual contributions, PAC spending, and independent spending all have the ability to sway the decisions of elected officials.

Individual contributions can create a sense of indebtedness from the recipient to the donor, leading the Congress member to prioritize the interests of the donor over the needs of their constituents. PAC spending, which often comes from special interest groups, can also lead to a similar sense of indebtedness and influence over policy decisions. Independent spending, such as from Super PACs, can flood the airwaves with advertisements and messaging that can sway public opinion and ultimately influence the behavior of Congress members.

However, there are arguments that these forms of campaign money do not affect the behavior of members of Congress. Some argue that elected officials are able to separate their policy decisions from their campaign donors and act in the best interest of their constituents. Others argue that the influence of campaign contributions is overstated and that other factors, such as party affiliation and ideology, have a greater impact on the behavior of Congress members.

In conclusion, while there is evidence to suggest that campaign contributions can be a corrupting force in American politics, there are also arguments that downplay the influence of money on the behavior of Congress members. It is important for the public to remain vigilant and hold their elected officials accountable for their actions, regardless of the influence of campaign contributions.

Question 2

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties.
-The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1974.

Accepted Answer

The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1974 is a United States federal law that regulates the financing of federal elections. It established the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to enforce the law and oversee campaign finance.

FECA is relevant to the study of political parties because it has a significant impact on how political parties raise and spend money for their campaigns. The law sets limits on individual and group contributions to political parties and candidates, as well as on campaign expenditures. It also requires disclosure of campaign finance information, such as contributions and expenditures.

Understanding FECA is crucial for understanding the role of money in politics and how it influences the behavior and strategies of political parties. It also sheds light on the efforts to regulate and reform campaign finance in order to maintain the integrity and fairness of the electoral process.

Question 3

Super PACs:

Accepted Answer

A)   must report to the Federal Election Commission where their money comes from
B)   have existed in American politics for more than a century
C)   can donate money directly to any federal candidate
D)   are not allowed to accept contributions of more than $1,000 from an individual A

Question 4

Groups called 527s and 501cs are allowed to do what in financing campaigns?

Accepted Answer

A)   Expressly call for the election or defeat of specific candidates.
B)   Accept unlimited contributions and spend without limit on election advocacy.
C)   Give campaign money directly to federal candidates or parties.
D)   Loan unlimited funds to candidates for judgeships.

Question 5

Campaign spending in the U.S. is:

Accepted Answer

A)   much less than Americans spend on lottery tickets per year
B)   much less overall than in British elections
C)   about the same overall as in British elections
D)   much more than the U.S. spent on the war in Iraq

Question 6

On average, incumbents:

Accepted Answer

A)   spend less than their challengers in congressional elections
B)   find it harder to raise campaign money than open-seat candidates do
C)   are permitted to raise campaign money from businesses, but not from labor unions
D)   greatly outspend their challengers in congressional elections

Question 7

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties.
-Super PACs.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define each of the following and briefly...

Question 8

Organizations set up by incumbents to distribute money to other incumbents or challengers in their party are called ______.

Accepted Answer

A)   super PACs
B)   campaign consulting firms
C)   political party organizations
D)   leadership PACs

Question 9

The Supreme Court ruling that said restricting a candidate's spending infringed on the candidate's right to free speech was:

Accepted Answer

A)   Citizens United (2010) 
B)   McCain Feingold (2002) 
C)   Buckley v. Valeo (1976) 
D)   McIntosh vs. FEC (2015)

Question 10

The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of the 1970s:

Accepted Answer

A)   allowed candidates to keep the names of their bigger contributors secret
B)   allowed individuals to give unlimited amounts directly to federal candidates
C)   provided public funding for presidential general-election campaigns
D)   ruled that Political Action Committees (PACs)  could not contribute to federal candidates

Question 11

Money spent by party organizations in coordination with a candidate's campaign is called what?

Accepted Answer

A)   Independent spending.
B)   Political action committee spending.
C)   Coordinated spending.
D)   Bundling.

Question 12

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties.
-Citizens United.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define each of the following and briefly...

Question 13

In congressional elections, campaign spending:

Accepted Answer

A)   usually makes more of a difference for incumbents
B)   usually makes more of a difference for challengers
C)   usually makes more of a difference for candidates in open-seat races
D)   rarely makes a difference

Question 14

Most money contributed directly to candidates comes from where?

Accepted Answer

A)   PACs.
B)   Interest groups.
C)   Political parties.
D)   Individuals.

Question 15

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties.
-Buckley v. Valeo.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define each of the following and briefly...

Question 16

Describe the changes that FECA made in campaign finance regulation. To what extent did FECA achieve its aims in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s? What led to the passage of BCRA in 2002? And what did BCRA change with regard to the rules governing campaign finance?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the changes that FECA made in...

Question 17

BCRA banned what sort of campaign money?

Accepted Answer

A)   Hard money contributions to national party organizations.
B)   Soft money contributions to national party organizations.
C)   Independent expenditures in campaigns.
D)   PAC spending on independent expenditures.

Question 18

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties.
-Independent spending.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define each of the following and briefly...

Question 19

Which of the following is true about state campaign finance rules?

Accepted Answer

A)   All states must follow the same set of rules about campaign money in state campaigns.
B)   Campaign finance rules keep state campaign spending very low.
C)   Out-of-state groups are not allowed to spend money on state campaigns.
D)   Each state makes its own campaign finance rules for state-level offices.

Question 20

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties.
-The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) of 2002.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define each of the following and briefly...

Exam 12: Financing the Campaigns

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties. -The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1974.

Super PACs:

Groups called 527s and 501cs are allowed to do what in financing campaigns?

Campaign spending in the U.S. is:

On average, incumbents:

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties. -Super PACs.

Organizations set up by incumbents to distribute money to other incumbents or challengers in their party are called ______.

The Supreme Court ruling that said restricting a candidate's spending infringed on the candidate's right to free speech was:

The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of the 1970s:

Money spent by party organizations in coordination with a candidate's campaign is called what?

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties. -Citizens United.

In congressional elections, campaign spending:

Most money contributed directly to candidates comes from where?

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties. -Buckley v. Valeo.

Describe the changes that FECA made in campaign finance regulation. To what extent did FECA achieve its aims in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s? What led to the passage of BCRA in 2002? And what did BCRA change with regard to the rules governing campaign finance?

BCRA banned what sort of campaign money?

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties. -Independent spending.

Which of the following is true about state campaign finance rules?

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties. -The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) of 2002.