Super PACs

Definition

Super PACs, or 'independent expenditure-only committees,' are political action committees that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to advocate for or against political candidates. They emerged after the 2010 Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which allowed corporations and unions to spend money on political campaigns, contributing to the growing influence of money in politics and intensifying social and political polarization.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Super PACs can accept unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations, and unions, unlike traditional PACs which have contribution limits.
2. They cannot coordinate directly with candidates or their campaigns, which distinguishes them from regular PACs.
3. The emergence of super PACs has been linked to increased spending in elections, leading to concerns about the potential for corruption and the influence of wealthy donors on political outcomes.
4. Since their rise, super PACs have played a significant role in elections, often spending large sums to influence public opinion through advertisements and other media.
5. Critics argue that super PACs contribute to polarization by allowing extreme viewpoints to be funded disproportionately, while supporters claim they enhance free speech by enabling more voices in the political arena.

Review Questions

• How did the ruling in Citizens United v. FEC lead to the formation of super PACs and what are the implications of this decision for political campaigning?
  • The Citizens United v. FEC ruling allowed for unlimited independent expenditures by corporations and unions in political campaigns, resulting in the creation of super PACs. These entities can raise and spend unlimited funds, significantly changing how campaigns are financed. This has led to an increase in campaign spending and raised concerns about the influence of wealthy donors over candidates and elected officials, ultimately impacting the integrity of the democratic process.
• Discuss the differences between super PACs and traditional PACs, particularly in terms of funding limits and coordination with candidates.
  • Super PACs differ from traditional PACs primarily in their ability to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money without coordinating directly with candidates or their campaigns. Traditional PACs are subject to contribution limits and can only collect a limited amount from individual donors, while super PACs can accept contributions from any source. This distinction has led to a significant increase in campaign finance activity, with super PACs being able to amplify messages without direct ties to candidate strategies.
• Evaluate the role of super PACs in contributing to social and political polarization within contemporary America, considering both positive and negative perspectives.
  • Super PACs play a complex role in social and political polarization. On one hand, they allow for diverse voices and perspectives to be funded in political discourse, potentially enhancing free speech. On the other hand, they often amplify extreme viewpoints due to the disproportionate funding from wealthy donors, which can drown out moderate positions. This dynamic can lead to increased divisiveness within the electorate as polarized messages dominate campaign narratives, complicating consensus-building efforts among voters.

Related terms

Citizens United v. FEC: A landmark Supreme Court case that ruled that the government cannot restrict independent expenditures for political communications, leading to the rise of super PACs.

Political Action Committee (PAC): An organization that collects and distributes funds to support political candidates, with limitations on contributions and spending compared to super PACs.

Campaign Finance Reform: Legislation aimed at regulating the amount of money that can be raised and spent in political campaigns, addressing concerns about the influence of money in politics.