Honors Theses
Date of Award
2019
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Political Science
First Advisor
Marvin King
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to explore Super PACs as a source of campaign finance and their impact on the federal elections process. After explaining the history of federal campaign finance law in the United States, the role of anonymity by Super PACs is questioned. This thesis argues that two court case decisions are responsible for the creation of Super PACs: Citizens United v. FEC and SpeechNOW.org v. FEC. The cases, and their conflicting interests, are both summarized and analyzed. Next, using federal campaign finance data from the past decade, the impact of Super PACs on campaign finance is both described and analyzed. These data are used to draw conclusions about the immense impact the dark money produced by Super PACs has had on recent election cycles and on the modern era of campaign finance. The struggle between anonymous big money donations and democracy is discussed. It is concluded that Super PACs are incompatible with an open and equal democracy, as they allow unlimited, anonymous donations to overpower the interests of individuals.
Recommended Citation
Curtis, Catrina, "Super PACs: Where They Came from and What We Know About Dark Money Seven Years Later" (2019). Honors Theses. 1037.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/1037
Accessibility Status
Searchable text