Verified Document

Transparency In Corporate Political Spending Research Paper

Corporate Political Spending The lack of transparency in corporate political spending has is an ethical issue, because the lack of transparency has very much worked in favor of corporate donors. This is a high moral intensity issue because corporations have unique ability to earn income, essentially unmatched by individuals. Individuals who control corporations -- people who are already rich and powerful -- then control an even greater amount of assets with which to influence the political process to their benefit. However, when political actions serve the interests of those who are wealthy and powerful, in general there is a trade-off and those who lack this wealth and power pay the cost. Evidence suggests that corporate political activity is positively correlated with financial performance (Lux, Crook and Woehr, 2011).

This is where the transparency issue arises. When corporations can donate as much as they want to any candidate, but have those donations remain secret, the public then has no idea which candidates are dependent in which corporations. It takes a lot of money to run a political campaign, so there is a dependency relationship between politicians and large donors. While typically the quid pro quo in this relationship...

It undermines the spirit of the democratic system under which we theoretically live, if not the law.
With limitless corporate political spending, and no transparency with respect to that spending, it can be difficult for the media and by extension the general public to know whether politicians are acting in an impartial manner with the laws that they pass. This is the reason why campaign finance laws were passed in the first place, if for nothing else than to assure public confidence in their government, and the recent end of campaign finance regulations all but destroys that confidence (Kang, 2012). There is sufficient evidence to show that they are not. In many cases, industry or its lobbyists write laws, which politicians then sign. This is not how the system is intended to work, and there is minimal debate about these laws. The interests of voters is thus circumvented, so that only the corporate interests are represented, or for that matter any group with enough money to hold influence over politicians.

The evidence of the perils of this system is not just found in the way that the system functions today,…

Sources used in this document:
References

Kang, M. (2012). The end of campaign finance law. Virginia Law Review. Vol. 98 (1) 1-63

Lux, S., Crook, T., & Woehr, D. (2011). Mixing business with politics: A meta-analysis of the antecedents and outcomes of corporate political activity. Journal of Management. Vol. 37 (1) 223-247.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Corporate Governance Under Globalization in
Words: 5529 Length: 17 Document Type: Research Proposal

It should not be treated as a separate exercise undertaken to meet regulatory requirements." (ICA, 29) Here is expressed a philosophical impetus that drives the focus of this research, that such compliance which will generally concern matters such as corporate accounting, the practice of internal oversight and the practice of financial transaction must be considered inextricable from other aspects of practical, procedural and legal operation in terms of its

Corporate Social Responsibility and Green Marketing
Words: 2708 Length: 9 Document Type: Essay

CSR and Green Marketing Green Marketing and Corporate Social Responsibility This essay examines green marketing and corporate social responsibility practices. In particular, the paper examines the practice of greenwashing, and discusses companies' willingness to exploit green marketing for competitive advantage. The essay also reviews the legitimate use of green marketing as a means of promoting responsible environmental stewardship. Green marketing involves the promotion of products that are marketed as being environmentally safe or

International Political Economy in the
Words: 2671 Length: 7 Document Type: Term Paper

The European Union also has its own version for corporate social responsibility. (Landau, 85) Thus the U.S. polity was forced to adapt international opinions and legislate both for the external and internal aspects of its economy. Human rights, labor laws and a host of international issues like global warming and the use of chemicals were all reflected in amendments of the local laws while some of the issues like

Managing Corporate Social Responsibility ND
Words: 3088 Length: 10 Document Type: Essay

" (Kotler and Lee 2005, p.3). Since this study was published, the contributions have steadily increased making CSR an integral part of every major company today. A report by Price Water Cooper House in 2010 shows that the CSR initiatives and reporting has increased despite the sagging economy and this points to a positive change in the mindset of the management of companies. "PWC explains that such reports have become critical

Integrated Corporate Communication and Corporate
Words: 16981 Length: 52 Document Type: Dissertation

Corporate communications involves not just the message, but the idea that communications are managed, and are connected to corporate objectives (Cornelissen, 2004). Therefore, when communication possibilities were limited, corporate options were limited, and one did not see communications management perspectives that advocated the type of intimate connection between communications and corporate strategy that one sees in a modern context (Cornelissen, 2004). What this makes clear is that CC is

Boards of Directors, Corporate Governance
Words: 13662 Length: 40 Document Type: Term Paper

In contrast, within the firm, the entrepreneur directs production and coordinates without intervention of a price mechanism; but, if production is regulated by price movements, production could be carried on without any organization at all, well might we ask, why is there any organization?" (Coase, 1937, p. 387) In simpler words if markets are so efficient why do firms exist? Coase explains, "the operation of a market costs something

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now