📚 Topic Summary
Buckley v. Valeo (1976) examined campaign finance regulations, distinguishing between campaign contributions and expenditures. The Supreme Court held that limitations on individual campaign contributions 💰 were constitutional to prevent corruption, but expenditure limits 💸 (what a candidate spends) violated free speech. On the other hand, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) centered on whether corporations and unions could spend unlimited amounts of money on political advertising in candidate elections. The Court ruled that corporations and unions have the same free speech rights as individuals, and therefore, restrictions on independent political spending by corporations and unions were unconstitutional. This case significantly altered campaign finance laws, leading to the rise of Super PACs.
🧠 Part A: Vocabulary
Match the following terms with their definitions:
- Term: Campaign Contribution
- Term: Campaign Expenditure
- Term: Free Speech
- Term: Corruption
- Term: Super PAC
- Definition: Spending money on political advertising to support or oppose a candidate.
- Definition: A committee that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to support or oppose political candidates but cannot directly coordinate with the candidate's campaign.
- Definition: The giving of money to political campaigns or parties.
- Definition: Dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power.
- Definition: The right to express one's opinions freely under the First Amendment.
(Match each term 1-5 with its definition 1-5)
📝 Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct terms.
In Buckley v. Valeo, the Supreme Court ruled that limits on __________ were constitutional, but limits on __________ were not. Citizens United v. FEC determined that corporations and unions have the same __________ rights as individuals, thus allowing them to spend unlimited money on __________.
🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking
Explain how the Citizens United ruling has impacted campaign finance and elections in the United States. Provide specific examples to support your answer.