Citizens United v. FEC

Definition

Citizens United v. FEC is a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 2010 that ruled that political spending by corporations and unions is a form of protected free speech under the First Amendment. This decision dramatically changed the landscape of campaign finance, allowing for unlimited independent expenditures by these entities, which has led to an increase in the influence of money in politics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC was based on the principle that restricting independent political spending infringes on free speech rights.
2. This case overturned previous regulations that limited corporate and union spending on political campaigns, fundamentally altering how elections are financed.
3. The decision led to the rise of Super PACs, which can accept unlimited contributions from corporations and individuals, vastly increasing the amount of money in politics.
4. The ruling has sparked significant debate over the role of money in politics and its impact on democracy, with critics arguing it gives disproportionate influence to wealthy donors.
5. Since the ruling, there has been an explosion of 'dark money' in elections, where organizations can spend without disclosing their donors, raising concerns about transparency.

Review Questions

• How did Citizens United v. FEC change the way political campaigns are financed in the United States?
  • The Citizens United v. FEC decision fundamentally changed political campaign financing by allowing corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts on independent political expenditures. Before this ruling, there were restrictions on such spending to limit the influence of money in politics. The case paved the way for Super PACs, which can now raise and spend funds without limitations, significantly increasing the financial stakes in elections.
• Evaluate the implications of Citizens United v. FEC on American democracy and electoral processes.
  • The implications of Citizens United v. FEC on American democracy are profound and controversial. Proponents argue that it enhances free speech by allowing more voices and perspectives into the political arena through increased spending. However, critics contend that it undermines democratic principles by enabling wealthy corporations and individuals to wield disproportionate influence over elections, potentially drowning out the voices of average voters and skewing political priorities toward those with financial power.
• Analyze how the rise of Super PACs and dark money following Citizens United v. FEC has affected voter perception and engagement in political processes.
  • The rise of Super PACs and dark money following Citizens United v. FEC has led to a shift in voter perception regarding the electoral process. Many voters feel disillusioned by the sheer amount of money influencing politics, which can create a sense that their individual votes matter less in an environment dominated by large financial contributors. This perception can lead to decreased voter engagement, as citizens may feel overwhelmed or powerless against the flood of advertisements and messages funded by wealthy interests, ultimately affecting turnout and participation in democracy.

Related terms

Super PACs:

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

Dark Money: Political spending by organizations that are not required to disclose their donors, making it difficult to trace the sources of funding for political campaigns.

First Amendment: The constitutional amendment that protects freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition, which was central to the arguments in Citizens United v. FEC.