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📜intro to political science review

PAC

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

A PAC, or Political Action Committee, is a type of organization that pools campaign contributions from members and donates those funds to campaigns for or against candidates, ballot measures, or legislation. PACs are a way for special interest groups to influence the political process by financially supporting the candidates and policies that align with their goals and priorities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. PACs are required to register with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and adhere to specific contribution limits and disclosure requirements.
  2. PACs can be established by corporations, labor unions, trade associations, or other special interest groups to support their political agendas.
  3. PACs can donate directly to candidates' campaigns, as well as to other PACs and political parties, subject to legal limits.
  4. The growth of PACs has been a controversial aspect of the campaign finance system, with critics arguing that they allow wealthy special interests to exert undue influence on the political process.
  5. Supporters of PACs argue that they provide a way for citizens to collectively pool their resources and participate more effectively in the political system.

Review Questions

  • Explain the role of PACs in the campaign finance system and how they can influence the political process.
    • PACs play a significant role in the campaign finance system by allowing special interest groups to pool their resources and financially support the candidates and policies that align with their goals. PACs can donate directly to candidates' campaigns, as well as to other PACs and political parties, subject to legal limits. This allows PACs to exert influence on the political process by channeling money to the candidates and causes they favor. Critics argue that the growth of PACs has allowed wealthy special interests to wield undue influence, while supporters contend that PACs provide a way for citizens to collectively participate more effectively in the political system.
  • Analyze the potential pros and cons of the role of PACs in the political process.
    • The role of PACs in the political process has both potential pros and cons. On the pro side, PACs allow citizens to pool their resources and collectively participate more effectively in the political system, giving a voice to specific interest groups and their concerns. They can also provide a way for individuals to support the candidates and policies they believe in. However, the con is that PACs can also allow wealthy special interests to exert undue influence on the political process, potentially skewing the playing field and undermining the principle of one person, one vote. There are also concerns that the growth of PACs has contributed to the increasing polarization and partisanship in the political landscape.
  • Evaluate the impact of PACs on the overall health and functioning of the American democratic system.
    • The impact of PACs on the American democratic system is a complex and debated issue. On one hand, PACs can be seen as a way for citizens to collectively participate in the political process and have their voices heard. They provide a mechanism for individuals to pool their resources and support the candidates and policies they believe in, which could be viewed as enhancing democratic engagement. However, the outsized influence of wealthy special interests through PACs has also been criticized as undermining the principles of political equality and one person, one vote. There are concerns that the role of PACs in the campaign finance system has contributed to the increasing polarization and partisanship in American politics, as well as the perception that the system is rigged in favor of the wealthy and powerful. Ultimately, the impact of PACs on the health and functioning of American democracy is a nuanced issue that requires careful evaluation of the tradeoffs and potential reforms to the campaign finance system.