| The Economic Realities of Political Reform: Elections and the Us Senate Contributor(s): Regens, James L. (Author), Gaddie, Ronald Keith (Author), Teichgraeber, Richard F., III (Editor) |
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ISBN: 0521023513 ISBN-13: 9780521023511 Publisher: Cambridge University Press OUR PRICE: $39.89 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: November 2005 Annotation: A central political issue in American politics during the 1990s is the need for political campaign reform. A variety of proposals have been advanced to reform the system of congressional elections, most notably in relation to campaign financing. The authors examine U.S. Senate elections to determine the role money plays in the contests; their analysis indicates that the system of campaign finance resembles a market, with legislators serving as the recipients of financial largesse based on their institutional positions and political vulnerability. This rent-seeking relationship between economic interests and legislators has transformed the dynamic of Senate elections. Assessing the potential impact of several electoral reform proposals, Professors Regens and Gaddie argue that debates over the nature and consequences of proposed changes in election finance are often waged without an underlying point of theoretical reference. In addition, little consideration is placed upon impacts relative to each other or collectively on the political system. Spending limits and public funding proposals, they contend, will not have the effects expected by reform advocates. Term limit and public funding proposals would disrupt the rent-seeking relationship between legislators and economic interests, and these proposals would also face political and constitutional barriers to implementation. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Political Science | Political Process - General - Business & Economics | Economics - General - Business & Economics | Economic History |
| Dewey: 324.780 |
| LCCN: 2006277357 |
| Series: Murphy Institute Studies in Political Economy |
| Physical Information: 0.32" H x 6" W x 9" (0.46 lbs) 136 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: The central political issue in American politics during the 1990s is the need for political campaign reform. The authors examine the United States Senate elections to determine the potential impact of several electoral reform proposals. They conclude that spending limits, contribution limits, and public financing proposals will not necessarily have the impact expected by advocates. The final fate of reform resides with self-interested incumbents who will design reform. |