Customer Reviews

POLITICAL MONEY (HOOVER INST PRESS PUBLICATION)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a marvelous alternative to the common drivel that passes as analysis on the subject of campaign finance reform. Anderson has selected articles that are short and easy to read, yet detailed and informative. Want to know what exactly is meant by "soft money," or "issue ads"? It's here. Want to understand the constitutional restraints on regulation? It's here. Want to understand why reform never works? It's here (hint: and it's not because everyone is corrupt). Anderson includes analysis from a broad cross section of writers, but clearly skews her selections in favor of those usually ignored by the major media - that is, she gives equal time to writers and thinkers who argue that money is not the major problem in American politics. This book, along with FEC Commissioner Bradley Smith's new book, "Unfree Speech: The Folly of Campaign Finance Reform," is reshaping the academic debate over campaign finance reform. Yet it does so through a selection of short, simple essays accessible even to high school students. A very good book on an important policy issue.