The Fallacy of Campaign Finance Reform [Hardcover]

John Samples (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0226734501 | ISBN-13: 978-0226734507 | Edition: First Edition

At first glance, campaign finance reform looks like a good idea. McCain-Feingold, for instance, regulates campaigns by prohibiting national political parties from accepting soft money contributions from corporations, labor unions, and wealthy individuals. But are such measures, or any of the numerous and similarly restrictive proposals that have circulated through Washington in recent years, really good for our democracy? 

John Samples says no, and here he takes a penetrating look into the premises and consequences of the long crusade against big money in politics. How many Americans, he asks, know that there is little to no evidence that campaign contributions really influence members of Congress? Or that so-called negative political advertising actually improves the democratic process by increasing voter turnout and knowledge? Or that limits on campaign contributions make it harder to run for office, thereby protecting incumbent representatives from losing their seats of power? 

Posing tough questions such as these, Samples uncovers numerous fallacies beneath proposals for campaign finance reform. He argues that our most common concerns about money in politics are misplaced because the ideals implicit in our notion of corruption are incoherent or indefensible. The chance to regulate money in politics allows representatives to serve their own interests at a cost to their constituents. And, ironically, this long crusade against the corruption caused by campaign contributions allows public officials to reduce their vulnerability by suppressing electoral competition.  

Defying long-held ssumptions and conventional political wisdom, The Fallacy of Campaign Finance Reform is a provocative and decidedly nonpartisan work that will be essential for anyone concerned about the future of American government. 

Editorial Reviews

Review

"As the federal government's size and intrusiveness grow, so does its attempt to regulate—ration, really—political speech about the government's composition and behavior. John Samples sees the menace of this through the prism of political philosophy. This book is a lucid and urgently needed warning about a growing assault on the First Amendment and the entire Madisonian understanding of American politics."

(George F. Will)

"A thoughtful antidote to the exalted status accorded campaign finance reform."

(James E. Campbell Political Science Quarterly)

"A wonderful volume that debunks pretty much everything that one hears from modern 'good government goo-goos.' From his astute analysis of the seemingly eternal Progressive Movement to his citing of study after study that demonstrate that legal campaign contributions do not 'corrupt' the political process."

(William L. Anderson Public Choice)

About the Author

John Samples directs the Cato Institute’s Center for Representative Government and teaches in the government program at the Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 328 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; First Edition edition (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226734501
• ISBN-13: 978-0226734507
• Product Dimensions: 1.1 x 6.3 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,257,135 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Real Campaign Reform January 19, 2013

By Terry Jennrich

Format:Hardcover

I love this book. Finally a scholar 'gets it right' on the topic of campaign reform. The net result of campaign reform in America in 2012 going back to the liberal sweep of the 1974 mid term elections(following in the wake of the watergate and other Nixon misteps) is the stupid Federal Elections Commission and the massive restrictions on contributions to public officals running for office. Campaign finance reform is a failure to date. The net result is that most congressmen and senators and some state legislators, joined by presidentaial candidates, spend most of their time [in or out of office] campaigning for dollars in order to have a chance to run a successful campaign for election. The author's argument is that restrictions deny you [the voter] choices of candidates that cannot raise the money from small donations and must spend all of their time fundraising instead of thinking about reform bills that would actually solve problems.
Real campaign reform would be : abolishing the Federal Elections Commission and permitting American citizens (not corporations, labor unions, or foreign citizens) to give any amount of money to the candidate of their choice. THe only requirement would be disclosure within 30 days of the donation if it exceeds one thousand dollars from any one person in any calander year. Expenditures need not be kept track of unless they were to be given to another candidate for office....
If we then create competitive legislative districts , encourage 3rd parties to enter the poltical arena , and have 3 ballot elections so that only a person with an absolute majority of the votes in the district, state, or nation can win the office being contested, then we will have substantially improved the performance of our political system and reduced corruption all without campaign donation limits that we now have but which prevents average people from running for office.
I recommend all members of congress, the president and all U.S. voters READ THIS BOOK NOW!
Terry Jennrich Read more ›

1 of 10 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Skip this book March 14, 2011

By Ezra

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a horrible and boring Libertarian book. The analysis is painful to get through. Totally dry and boring