US Democracy & Participation

a-level US politics. exam board: Pearson edexcel

What were the McCain-Feingold reforms (2002)?

The McCain-Feingold reforms, officially known as the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act.

• Banned soft money donations to political parties.

• ‘Stand by your ad’ required candidates to endorse campaign ads.

• $2,000 donation limit for individuals per candidate per election.

Two disadvantages of incumbency.

• A bad reputation results in unpopularity amongst voters.

• Incumbents can still face challengers in primaries and the general election.

Political Action Committee.

A Political Action Committee/s can raise and spend money in order to elect or defeat election candidates with a donation limit of $5,000 per candidate per election

Three disadvantages of the Primary-Caucus process.

• A candidate weaknesses regarding policies can be exposed by fellow party members.

• Internal party divides are exposed as factions within a party fight for supremacy of the party.

• It rewards party populism as more extreme candidates tend to perform better.

Three advantages of the Primary-Caucus process.

• Raises key issues so voters are informed on their candidate’s opinion’s before nomination.

• Proven candidates who are electable are nominated as they have won a primary election.

• Increased voter choice as voters can decide their candidates so are more likely to vote for them.

Soft Money

Soft money is cash directly contributed to a political party with no limits attached to the amount that can be received.

Hard Money

Hard money is a direct cash contribution to a political candidate by an individual or Political Action Committee (PAC)