Corporations and Labor Unions in Electoral Politics

In: The annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Band 425, S. 33-58

Abstract

Federal prohibitions of corporate & union contributions have been motivated by 2 objectives: to reduce or eliminate domination of the electoral process by business & labor through their aggregated wealth, & to protect stockholders & union members from having their organizations' funds used for political purposes of which they do not approve. Federal regulations have been largely ineffective in preventing corporate & union monies from reaching political candidates & parties both legally & illegally. Recent developments, including passage of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 as amended in 1974, important decisions by the Supreme Court since 1972, & rulings by the Federal Election Commission, have widened the area of legal campaign-related activities in which corporations & labor organizations can engage, particularly through political action committees. The liberalization of previous restrictions, together with more rigorous & effective electoral disclosure requirements, & widespread public suspicion concerning the political activities of "special interests" make it likely that business corporations & labor unions will be quite circumspect in their election involvements during 1976. However, several legal & political issues which could affect corporate & union campaign activities in 1976 & beyond, remain unresolved. Modified HA.