Democracy After Citizens United
Illustration: Alex Camlin
Lawrence Lessig
Most Americans believe that Congress is for sale, too corrupt to be trusted. The Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United will intensify that mistrust.
Will Wilkinson
Where is the evidence about the effect of campaign contributions on legislators?
(Thurs., Sept. 9)
Marvin Ammori
The ruling imperils not only our democracy; it also threatens the U.S. economy.
(Thu., Sept. 9)
David Donnelly
Reformers need to shift away from “getting big money out of campaigns” and toward “getting the people back in.”
(Fri., Sept. 10)
David N. Bossie
Post–Citizens United, Americans may now band together and speak with one voice.
(Mon., Sept. 13)
Allison R. Hayward
A healthy political system includes competition among many interests—including contributors.
(Mon., Sept. 13)
John Bonifaz and Jeffrey Clements
The threat of the Citizens United ruling to our democracy can be corrected only by constitutional amendment.
(Tues., Sept. 14)
Representative Donna F. Edwards
Citizens United will go down in history as one of the Supreme Court’s worst decisions—the Dred Scott of our time.
(Tue., Sept. 14)
Ciara Torres-Spelliscy
If corporations are political actors, then we need to democratize them through transparency and shareholder consent.
(Wed., Sept. 15)
Nancy L. Rosenblum
Citizens United put parties at a disadvantage relative to corporations and interest groups.
(Wed., Sept. 15)
Lawrence Lessig responds
My complaint is not that special interests participate in Congress. It is that members are dependent on them.
(Thur., Sept. 16)
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