key term - Citizens United v. FEC

Definition

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 2010 that held that the government cannot limit independent expenditures for political communications by corporations and unions, based on the First Amendment's protection of free speech. This ruling significantly changed the landscape of campaign finance by allowing unlimited amounts of money to be spent on political advertising, which has had a profound impact on elections and media regulation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Citizens United ruling effectively removed limits on how much money corporations and unions could spend on independent political communications, leading to a significant increase in political advertising budgets.
2. Following the decision, Super PACs emerged as powerful entities in U.S. elections, capable of spending unlimited funds without direct coordination with candidates.
3. The Supreme Court's decision was controversial, sparking debates about the influence of money in politics and the potential for corruption.
4. Many critics argue that Citizens United has undermined democracy by giving disproportionate power to wealthy corporations and individuals in shaping electoral outcomes.
5. The case highlighted ongoing tensions between free speech rights and the regulation of campaign finance, influencing subsequent legislation and court cases regarding political spending.

Review Questions

• How did the Citizens United v. FEC ruling alter the landscape of campaign finance and its implications for political communication?
  • The Citizens United v. FEC ruling significantly altered campaign finance by allowing corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts on independent political communications, which led to a surge in political advertising. This change enabled Super PACs to form, which could raise vast sums of money without limits, fundamentally shifting how elections were funded and increasing the influence of money in politics. The ruling raised concerns about the potential for corruption and the erosion of democratic processes as wealthy entities gained greater power over political discourse.
• Discuss the role of Super PACs that emerged after the Citizens United decision and how they impact election outcomes.
  • Super PACs play a pivotal role in modern elections by allowing individuals, corporations, and unions to contribute unlimited funds towards political campaigns. They operate independently from candidate campaigns, yet their significant financial resources can heavily influence voter perceptions through extensive advertising and outreach. This capability often leads to an overwhelming presence of certain messages in the media landscape during elections, thereby impacting voter behavior and potentially altering election outcomes.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of Citizens United v. FEC on American democracy and campaign finance reform efforts.
  • The long-term implications of Citizens United v. FEC on American democracy are complex and multifaceted. The decision has reinforced the role of money in politics, making it increasingly challenging for ordinary citizens and smaller campaigns to compete against well-funded interests. This trend may lead to a perceived or real imbalance in representation within the political system. Additionally, while various reform efforts have emerged in response, such as proposals for constitutional amendments to overturn Citizens United or enhanced disclosure requirements for campaign spending, these initiatives face significant political hurdles, raising questions about the future of campaign finance regulation in maintaining a fair democratic process.

Related terms

Super PACs:

Political action committees that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to advocate for or against candidates, often funded by corporations and unions.

First Amendment:

The amendment to the U.S. Constitution that protects freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition; it is the basis for the ruling in Citizens United v. FEC.

Campaign Finance Reform: Efforts to regulate the amount of money spent on political campaigns in order to reduce corruption and increase transparency.