Campaigns, Congress, and Courts - by Robert E Mutch (Hardcover)

About the Book

Campaigns, Congress, and Courts presents a political history of the passage, judicial interpretation, and administration of federal campaign finance law from 1907 to the present. The volume focuses on the post-Watergate years and analyzes the ideological and partisan conflicts which shape congressional and public debate over how, or whether, to regulate political money. The book opens with an account of the first law, then moves to the Watergate period while explaining the background of the 1970's reforms. Subsequent chapters examine the origin and passage of legislation through case studies, focusing on congressional debates and roll call votes; analyze the arguments of reformers and their opponents in court battles over these laws; demonstrate how the press and public opinion effect the legislative climate; assess the creation of the Federal Election Commission, its quasi-judicial role, and the political cross pressures to which it is subject; and explain the rise of labor and business PACs.

Book Synopsis

Campaigns, Congress, and Courts presents a political history of the passage, judicial interpretation, and administration of federal campaign finance law from 1907 to the present. The volume focuses on the post-Watergate years and analyzes the ideological and partisan conflicts which shape congressional and public debate over how, or whether, to regulate political money. The book opens with an account of the first law, then moves to the Watergate period while explaining the background of the 1970's reforms. Subsequent chapters examine the origin and passage of legislation through case studies, focusing on congressional debates and roll call votes; analyze the arguments of reformers and their opponents in court battles over these laws; demonstrate how the press and public opinion effect the legislative climate; assess the creation of the Federal Election Commission, its quasi-judicial role, and the political cross pressures to which it is subject; and explain the rise of labor and business PACs.

Review Quotes

?. . . a meticulous and provocative analysis of federal campaign finance law. . . his writing is lucid and insightful.?-Harvard Journal on Legislation

?The attention to historical detail . . . will make Campaigns, Congress, and Courts a welcome addition to the personal library of any political parties, public administration, and constitutional law courses.?-Atlanta Historical Society

?There is nothing here that has not the merit--and it is a considerable one--is the assembling of virtually all there is to know about the legal ins and outs, expectations, and disappointments surrounding the creation and regulation of political action committees. The organization of the book is historical, the method descriptive. It is quite good history, very enjoyable reading, and especially good at weaving in information from a variety of sources. . . . No law can weaken the resolve of powerful forces behind that money to influence federal elections.' Which conclusion do you prefer: Corporate PACS urged to act like Captain America (and use their power only for good and the American way'), or PACs assessed as determined subverters of the public will? Presumably neither. But each provides benefits unavailable anywhere else, and thus each is a contribution.?-Journal of Politics

?This is a scholarly history and review of the US attempt to regulate campaign finance. It includes an extensive, technical analysis of the long struggle to enact limitations on campaign finance contributions and spending. Mutch also discusses how the federal courts have restricted the application of the legislation. No other work examines the legislative history of campaign finance in the US in so much detail. It is well written, thoroughly researched, careful, and highly technical in analysis. As such it is of interest only to the serious graduate student and to faculty members who seek detailed information on US parties and elections.?-Choice

." . . a meticulous and provocative analysis of federal campaign finance law. . . his writing is lucid and insightful."-Harvard Journal on Legislation

"The attention to historical detail . . . will make Campaigns, Congress, and Courts a welcome addition to the personal library of any political parties, public administration, and constitutional law courses."-Atlanta Historical Society

"This is a scholarly history and review of the US attempt to regulate campaign finance. It includes an extensive, technical analysis of the long struggle to enact limitations on campaign finance contributions and spending. Mutch also discusses how the federal courts have restricted the application of the legislation. No other work examines the legislative history of campaign finance in the US in so much detail. It is well written, thoroughly researched, careful, and highly technical in analysis. As such it is of interest only to the serious graduate student and to faculty members who seek detailed information on US parties and elections."-Choice

"There is nothing here that has not the merit--and it is a considerable one--is the assembling of virtually all there is to know about the legal ins and outs, expectations, and disappointments surrounding the creation and regulation of political action committees. The organization of the book is historical, the method descriptive. It is quite good history, very enjoyable reading, and especially good at weaving in information from a variety of sources. . . . No law can weaken the resolve of powerful forces behind that money to influence federal elections.' Which conclusion do you prefer: Corporate PACS urged to act like Captain America (and use their power only for good and the American way'), or PACs assessed as determined subverters of the public will? Presumably neither. But each provides benefits unavailable anywhere else, and thus each is a contribution."-Journal of Politics

About the Author

ROBERT E. MUTCH has taught American politics and political history at Brooklyn College, Barnard and Rutgers Colleges, and at other New York area colleges.