Campaign Finance Reform: The Political Shell Game [Hardcover]

For decades, campaign finance reform has been an on-going topic of discussion. In particular, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA) was heralded as a major breakthrough in controlling the flow of money into campaigns. Almost immediately, political players found other ways to financially manipulate the new laws.Campaign Finance Reform: The Political Shell Gameprovides an in-depth look at the history of political campaign finance reform with special emphasis on legislative, FEC, and federal court actions from the 1970s to present. In particular, the authors examine the ways that campaigns and independent groups have sought to make end-runs around existing campaign finance rules. Oftentimes the loopholes they find make a significant impact on an election, sparking the next round of campaign finance reform. New rules are then enacted, and new loopholes are found. Like a big political shell game, the amount of money in politics never actually decreases, but instead gets moved around from one organization to another.

Melissa M. Smithis assistant professor of communication at Mississippi State University.

Glenda C. Williamsis associate professor of telecommunication and film at The University of Alabama and president of the Broadcast Education Association.

Larry Powellis professor of communication studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Gary A. Copelandis professor and chair of the Telecommunication and Film Department at The University of Alabama.

'Follow the money' is an apt aphorism for this book. Politically-minded students will learn how money is raised and where the jobs are. Highly recommended. Bill Edwards, Columbus State University

Part 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Chapter 1. An Overview of Campaign Finance Law
Part 3 Historical Background
Chapter 4 Chapter 2. Political parties and Campaign Finance Law
Chapter 5 Chapter 3. NCPAC and the Development of Third-Party Expelc+