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Unfree speech : the folly of campaign finance reform / Bradley A. Smith.
Author
Smith, Bradley A.
[Browse]
Format
Book
Language
English
Εdition
With a New preface by the author
Published/Created
Princeton, NJ : Princeton University Press, c2001.
Description
1 online resource (301 p.)
Details
Subject(s)
Campaign funds
—
United States
[Browse]
Campaign funds
—
Law and legislation
—
United States
[Browse]
Summary note
At a time when campaign finance reform is widely viewed as synonymous with cleaning up Washington and promoting political equality, Bradley Smith, a nationally recognized expert on campaign finance reform, argues that all restriction on campaign giving should be eliminated. In Unfree Speech, he presents a bold, convincing argument for the repeal of laws that regulate political spending and contributions, contending that they violate the right to free speech and ultimately diminish citizens' power. Smith demonstrates that these laws, which often force ordinary people making modest contributions of cash or labor to register with the Federal Election Commission or various state agencies, fail to accomplish their stated objectives. In fact, they have worked to entrench incumbents in office, deaden campaign discourse, burden grassroots political activity with needless regulation, and distance Americans from an increasingly professional, detached political class. Rather than attempting to plug "loopholes" in campaign finance law or instituting taxpayer-financed campaigns, Smith proposes a return to core First Amendment values of free speech and an unfettered right to engage in political activity. Smith finds that campaign contributions have little corrupting effect on the legislature and shows that an unrestrained system of contributions and spending actually enhances equality. More money, not less, is needed in the political system, Smith concludes. Unfree Speech draws upon constitutional law and historical research to explain why campaign finance regulation is doomed and to illustrate the potentially drastic costs of efforts to make it succeed. Whatever one thinks about the impact of money on electoral politics, no one should take a final stand without reading Smith's controversial and important arguments.
Notes
Description based upon print version of record.
Bibliographic references
Includes bibliographical references (p. [259]-277) and index.
Language note
English
Contents
Front matter
Contents
Preface
Chapter 1. Introduction
PART I. THE COST OF CAMPAIGNS AND THE PRICE OF REFORM
Chapter 2. Money Talks: A Short History of Campaign Spending, Regulation, and Reform
Chapter 3. Faulty Assumptions of Campaign Finance Reform
Chapter 4. The Folly of Reform: Consequences of Campaign Finance Regulation
Chapter 5. Some Problems with the Solution of Government Financing
PART II. CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Chapter 6. Money and Speech
Chapter 7. Money and Corruption
Chapter 8. Money and Equality
PART III. REAL AND IMAGINED REFORM OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE
Chapter 9. Unfree Speech: The Future of Regulatory "Reform"
Chapter 10. Real Equality, Real Corruption, Real Reform
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Show 16 more Contents items
Other format(s)
Issued also in print.
ISBN
9786612087455
9781400824717
1400824710
9781282087453
1282087452
9781400814701
1400814707
OCLC
355834865
979970137
Doi
10.1515/9781400824717
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Other versions
Unfree speech : the folly of campaign finance reform / Bradley A. Smith.
id
9933254903506421
Unfree speech : the folly of campaign finance reform : with a new preface by the author / Bradley A. Smith.
id
9938664973506421