Citizens United v. FEC

Definition

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 2010 that ruled that corporations and unions can spend unlimited amounts of money on political campaigns under the First Amendment's protection of free speech. This decision significantly changed the landscape of campaign finance, allowing for greater influence of money in politics and raising concerns about its impact on democracy and political equality.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC was based on the principle that spending money to influence elections is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.
2. The ruling led to the rise of Super PACs, which can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money from various sources to support candidates without direct coordination with their campaigns.
3. The case originated from Citizens United's attempt to air a film critical of then-Senator Hillary Clinton during the 2008 election season, which the FEC sought to restrict under campaign finance laws.
4. The decision overturned previous regulations that limited corporate and union spending in political campaigns, arguing that such limits were unconstitutional restrictions on free speech.
5. Citizens United v. FEC has sparked ongoing debates about the influence of money in politics, with critics arguing it undermines democracy by giving wealthy individuals and organizations disproportionate power.

Review Questions

• How did the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC impact campaign finance laws and what were the arguments presented for and against this decision?
  • The ruling in Citizens United v. FEC drastically changed campaign finance laws by allowing corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts of money on political campaigns, categorizing such spending as protected free speech. Proponents argued that this decision upheld the First Amendment rights and promoted robust political discourse, while critics contended it would lead to corruption and a disproportionate influence of wealthy entities over elections, diminishing the democratic process.
• Discuss the implications of Citizens United v. FEC on the emergence of Super PACs and how they operate within the current campaign finance system.
  • Following Citizens United v. FEC, Super PACs emerged as significant players in campaign finance, allowing for unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations, and unions. These organizations are independent from candidate campaigns, meaning they can advocate for or against candidates without coordination. This structure has led to unprecedented levels of spending in elections, raising concerns about transparency and accountability regarding who funds these groups and how their financial power influences electoral outcomes.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of Citizens United v. FEC on American democracy, considering both its effects on political engagement and potential challenges to electoral integrity.
  • The long-term consequences of Citizens United v. FEC on American democracy include increased political engagement among wealthy donors and organizations that can now spend freely to shape electoral outcomes. However, this has raised critical challenges regarding electoral integrity and equity, as the overwhelming influence of money could drown out the voices of average citizens. Critics argue that this trend leads to a system where access to political power is determined by financial resources rather than democratic participation, potentially undermining public trust in government institutions.

Related terms

First Amendment:

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects several fundamental rights, including freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government.

Political Action Committee (PAC):

A Political Action Committee is an organization that raises and spends money to elect or defeat candidates, typically representing specific interest groups or political parties.

Super PAC: A Super PAC is a type of independent political action committee that can raise unlimited sums of money from individuals, corporations, and unions to advocate for or against political candidates.