Citizens United v. FEC

Definition

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is a landmark Supreme Court case from 2010 that ruled that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts cannot be limited under the First Amendment. This decision significantly changed the landscape of campaign finance, allowing corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts of money on political campaigns, which has a profound impact on elections and political discourse.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of Citizens United, asserting that restrictions on independent expenditures by corporations and unions violate free speech rights.
2. The ruling led to a significant increase in the amount of money spent on elections, with major implications for candidate viability and the influence of wealthy donors.
3. Citizens United v. FEC invalidated key provisions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) of 2002, which sought to limit corporate spending in politics.
4. The decision has been controversial and has sparked debates about the integrity of democracy and the role of money in politics.
5. After the ruling, many new Super PACs emerged, enabling organizations to raise large sums from individuals and corporations to support or oppose candidates.

Review Questions

• How did the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC reshape campaign finance laws in the United States?
  • The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC fundamentally reshaped campaign finance laws by removing restrictions on independent expenditures by corporations and unions. By interpreting these expenditures as a form of free speech protected by the First Amendment, the ruling allowed for unlimited spending on political campaigns. This change resulted in a surge of money flowing into elections, altering how campaigns are financed and raising concerns about the disproportionate influence of wealthy entities in the political process.
• In what ways has Citizens United v. FEC affected the dynamics of political campaigns and elections since its ruling?
  • Since the ruling in Citizens United v. FEC, political campaigns have become increasingly reliant on Super PACs, which can raise unlimited funds to support candidates. This shift has led to a dramatic increase in advertising spending and has shifted campaign strategies toward appealing to wealthier donors. As a result, candidates who can attract significant financial backing have a greater chance of success, raising concerns about fairness and accessibility in the electoral process, particularly for those without similar financial resources.
• Evaluate the implications of Citizens United v. FEC for democratic participation and representation in modern politics.
  • The implications of Citizens United v. FEC for democratic participation and representation are significant and multifaceted. On one hand, the ruling promotes free speech by allowing diverse voices to contribute financially to political discourse. However, it also raises serious concerns about inequality in political influence, as wealthy individuals and corporations can drown out the voices of average citizens. This imbalance can lead to policy decisions that favor those with financial power over the needs and interests of the general population, ultimately threatening the core principles of democratic representation and equity.

Related terms

Super PACs:

Political action committees that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to advocate for or against political candidates, as long as they do not coordinate directly with the candidates' campaigns.

First Amendment:

Part of the Bill of Rights that protects freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition, which was central to the Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC.

Campaign Finance Reform: Legislation aimed at regulating the financial contributions made to political campaigns to ensure transparency and limit the influence of money in politics.