THE ENFORCEMENT OF VIRTUE. Issue 2 (9th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Buckley, F. H.
• Is Part Of: Social philosophy and policy. Volume 35:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 182
• Page End: 197
• Publication Date: 2019-05-09
• Subjects: Political corruption, -- campaign finance, -- first amendment, -- rights, -- discretion, -- free speech; Social policy -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; 303.01
• DOI: 10.1017/S0265052519000165
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-0525

Abstract

Abstract: Corruption of public officials is the silent killer of the U.S. economy, and we should reflect carefully on how it might be reined in. That's the thought behind campaign finance laws. But broad grants of discretion to authorities, which might work in New Zealand, are more likely to be abused in low-trust America, and campaign finance laws are one example of this. First Amendment free speech rights, as interpreted by the Supreme Court, represent its reflection on the American character and the possibility of abuse when Congress tries to restrict political speech. So conservatives are apt to think, and not entirely without reason.