Citizens United v. FEC

Definition

Citizens United v. FEC is a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 2010 that held that the government cannot restrict independent expenditures for political campaigns by corporations and unions under the First Amendment. This ruling fundamentally changed the landscape of political advertising, allowing for unlimited spending by outside groups in elections, which has led to significant increases in the influence of money in politics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Citizens United ruling established that political spending is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment, leading to increased funding in campaigns from corporations and unions.
2. Following the decision, Super PACs emerged as a major force in political advertising, allowing for coordinated efforts to influence elections without direct contribution limits.
3. The case was initiated by Citizens United, a nonprofit organization that sought to air a documentary critical of then-Senator Hillary Clinton during the 2008 election cycle.
4. The Supreme Court's decision was controversial, with critics arguing it undermines democracy by giving disproportionate influence to wealthy individuals and organizations in elections.
5. Since the ruling, there has been a significant increase in dark money in politics, where the sources of funding for political advertisements are often undisclosed.

Review Questions

• How did the Citizens United v. FEC decision impact the regulation of political advertising and campaign financing?
  • The Citizens United v. FEC decision dramatically altered the regulation of political advertising by removing restrictions on independent expenditures by corporations and unions. This meant that these entities could spend unlimited amounts of money on campaign-related activities as a form of free speech. As a result, this ruling led to an increase in political advertising funded by Super PACs and other outside groups, reshaping the landscape of campaign financing and intensifying the role of money in politics.
• Discuss the implications of Super PACs that arose from the Citizens United ruling for electoral campaigns and public perception of democracy.
  • Super PACs, which emerged following the Citizens United ruling, have significant implications for electoral campaigns as they can raise unlimited funds from individuals and organizations to support or oppose candidates. This has led to a surge in spending on political advertisements that often dominate media coverage during elections. The existence of Super PACs can contribute to public concerns about the integrity of democracy, as many citizens perceive that elections are increasingly influenced by wealthy donors rather than the general electorate.
• Evaluate how Citizens United v. FEC has shaped contemporary debates about campaign finance reform and its effects on democratic governance.
  • The Citizens United v. FEC case has sparked ongoing debates about campaign finance reform, highlighting tensions between free speech and the integrity of democratic governance. Critics argue that allowing unlimited corporate and union spending undermines democratic principles by enabling disproportionate influence over elected officials and policy outcomes. Proponents defend it as a necessary expansion of free speech rights. As a result, this ruling continues to provoke discussions on how best to balance these competing interests while ensuring fair electoral processes and accountability in campaign financing.

Related terms

First Amendment:

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition, which includes the freedom of speech.

Super PACs: Super PACs are independent political action committees that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to advocate for or against political candidates, often formed after the Citizens United decision.

Political Action Committee (PAC):

A Political Action Committee (PAC) is an organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation, typically representing businesses, labor unions, or other interest groups.