Money has long been a driving force in US politics and remains a powerful factor in the way major decisions are made. Despite the growing visibility of grassroots campaigns and the emergence of reform candidates, the influence of money remains strong and has the potential to shape how policy is created, implemented and legislated. In this article, we explore the various ways money influences US politics, from the ways it is used in campaigns, to how it affects the outcomes of elections and major legislation.
The Benefits of Financing a Political Campaign
One of the most significant ways money influences US politics is through its use in election campaigns. Whether it be to fund rallies, pay for advertising, or back up promises like healthcare, education, and tax reform, money is an integral part of campaigning and can provide certain advantages to candidates.
Of course, the whole point of a campaign is to get the attention of the electorate and, by using money to advertise, the message of certain candidates and their policies can be spread more broadly than they could manage purely by word of mouth.
In some cases, money can even be used to directly sway public opinion and create a more favorable image of candidates. For example, healthcare candidates might be given donations from healthcare companies, in order to fuel their campaigns and promote policies that are beneficial to the companies providing the donations.
Furthermore, candidates can use money to ensure their campaigns reach far more people than those that just turn up to rallies, canvass, or hold town hall meetings. For example, television and radio stations might be offered exclusive interviews with candidates or ads broadcast during certain time slots in order to get their message out and potentially broaden their appeal.
Influence in the Voting Booth
Money is also a huge factor in encouraging people to go out and vote. Political campaigns often sponsor voter registration drives, provide transportation and legal advice to voters, and even put out literature explaining how and why to vote for their candidate.
At a deeper level, the power of money is often seen in the way it is used to encourage favorable voting outcomes. The most common example of this is how much money a candidate can pay for voter turnout campaigns, as more money is often equated with better chances for winning.
Of course, this use of money to improve the chances of winning has played a role in dramatically increasing the levels of money required to run a successful campaign. Even local elections, once seen as the realm of purely community-level conversations, now require hundreds of thousands of dollars just to break even.
Creating Disparity Between Candidates
Money also creates an environment in which, at times, candidates of different backgrounds are able to compete on unequal terms. Those with more resources can use their wealth to outspend and outmaneuver those with fewer, thereby giving them an edge.
In many cases, this disparity means that candidates representing certain interest groups and minorities can be crowded out of the political process. For example, primary candidates may have access to more donations and therefore can more easily gather enough signatures to get onto the ballot.
The Issue of Voter Suppression
In the most extreme cases, the influence of money in US politics is seen in the form of voter suppression. This can take various forms, from intentional gerrymandering to the deliberate closing of polling stations in certain districts, which make it harder for certain sections of the population to cast their vote.
Voter suppression goes against the fundamental idea of democracy and can allow those with the most financial resources to shape the results of elections. While the US government has made moves to counteract voter suppression, it remains a serious issue and can still have a significant influence on the outcome of elections.
How Money Can Affect Politics at a Macro Level
At a higher level, money is also a driving force behind the way many policy decisions are created and implemented. Large corporations often have the resources to exert the most influence over legislation and can often buy the favor of politicians, in return for greater access to certain rights or assets.
This has the potential to create a system in which those with the most money can have a bigger say in how policies are created, even if these policies are not in the best interest of the general public.
Corporations also have the power to influence politicians by making donations, something which has proven to be a powerful tactic for getting certain policies implemented. These donations can come in the form of campaign financing and even cash contributions, both of which can give politicians the edge they need to get their message out and be elected.
The Influence of Dark Money
Finally, one of the most insidious forms of money’s influence on US politics is the use of dark money. This takes the form of unofficial donations and other financial activities that take place outside of the public realm and can be used to finance campaigns in a way that goes unchecked by laws and regulations.
These donations are able to greatly influence the outcome of campaigns, as they are not subject to regulation and can easily be funneled towards causes that the donor favors. Some organizations, such as those relating to gun control or education, have been the beneficiary of dark money, often without the public’s knowledge, and have been able to shape the political landscape in a way that otherwise would not have been possible.
The influence of money on US politics is undeniable and remains a powerful factor in the way major decisions are made. Money is used in many ways, whether it be during election campaigns, in attempts to sway the voting public, or even to shape whole policy decisions and legislation. As such, it is important to be aware of how money can be used and how it impacts the way politics is conducted in the US.
