- Paperback: 318 pages
- Publisher: Princeton University Press; New Ed edition (25 Feb 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0691113696
- ISBN-13: 978-0691113692
- Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 15 x 2.2 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,928,522 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
Unfree Speech: The Folly of Campaign Finance Reform
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Review
Surely will be this year's most important book on governance. -- George Will, Washington Post
A sustained defense of free speech against those who would burden it with rules that run counter to the intentions of the founders . . . A stirring defense of First Amendment against the depredations of the reformers. -- Ira Stoll, Wall Street Journal
A much needed does of realism which has relevance far beyond America. He challenges the prevailing assumption that political problems may usually be remedied by ever larger doses of public subsidy and rules. . . . Even those who disagree with Bradley Smith's political stance will do well to remember his powerful arguments that the legislative cures for the ills of campaign and party financing are sometimes worse that the disease. -- Michael Pinto-Duschinsky, Times Literary Supplement
A must-read for anyone wanting to make sense of the campaign-finance debate. -- Kathryn Jean-Lopez, National Review
Enlightening and entertaining . . . To say the least, there are many who will disagree with Smith's findings and conclusions. But this is a marvelous contrarian view: moderate in tone, elegant in language, clever in argument. -- "Publishers Weekly
Smith is ultimately a First Amendment absolutist, urging that any limitation on campaign contributions restricts free speech. Both opponents and supporters of McCain-Feingold should spend some time with this thoughtful study. -- "Booklist
A timely read . . . One by one, [Smith] dismantles the girders on which campaign-finanace reform now stands. -- "The Washington Times
Smith's presence on the FEC drives advocates of campaign finance reform to distraction and Unfree Speech makes quite clear why. . . . For Smith, it is vital to keep in mind what is at stake, which is freedom of speech itself. The constitutional issues cannot be swept aside. -- Daniel J. Silver, The Weekly Standard
Mr. Smith is a member of the Federal Election Commission, an agency created for the sole purpose of enforcing the Federal Election Campaign Act. Mr. Smith believes not only that the act doesn't work, but that it also undermines democracy. Moreover, he's convinced that virtually all attempts to regulate campaign finances are bad for society. . . . Mr. Smith's fundamental argument, though, is that there is no way to limit the expenditure of money on politics without violating the free speech rights of those who want to spend it. -- Gerald F. Seib, The Wall Street Journal
Unfree Speech is an important and valuable contribution to the money and politics literature. . . . [A] well-argued and well-presented counterreformist argument. -- David C. W. Parker, Congress and the Presidency
A sustained defense of free speech against those who would burden it with rules that run counter to the intentions of the founders . . . A stirring defense of First Amendment against the depredations of the reformers. -- Ira Stoll, Wall Street Journal
A much needed does of realism which has relevance far beyond America. He challenges the prevailing assumption that political problems may usually be remedied by ever larger doses of public subsidy and rules. . . . Even those who disagree with Bradley Smith's political stance will do well to remember his powerful arguments that the legislative cures for the ills of campaign and party financing are sometimes worse that the disease. -- Michael Pinto-Duschinsky, Times Literary Supplement
A must-read for anyone wanting to make sense of the campaign-finance debate. -- Kathryn Jean-Lopez, National Review
Enlightening and entertaining . . . To say the least, there are many who will disagree with Smith's findings and conclusions. But this is a marvelous contrarian view: moderate in tone, elegant in language, clever in argument. -- "Publishers Weekly
Smith is ultimately a First Amendment absolutist, urging that any limitation on campaign contributions restricts free speech. Both opponents and supporters of McCain-Feingold should spend some time with this thoughtful study. -- "Booklist
A timely read . . . One by one, [Smith] dismantles the girders on which campaign-finanace reform now stands. -- "The Washington Times
Smith's presence on the FEC drives advocates of campaign finance reform to distraction and Unfree Speech makes quite clear why. . . . For Smith, it is vital to keep in mind what is at stake, which is freedom of speech itself. The constitutional issues cannot be swept aside. -- Daniel J. Silver, The Weekly Standard
Mr. Smith is a member of the Federal Election Commission, an agency created for the sole purpose of enforcing the Federal Election Campaign Act. Mr. Smith believes not only that the act doesn't work, but that it also undermines democracy. Moreover, he's convinced that virtually all attempts to regulate campaign finances are bad for society. . . . Mr. Smith's fundamental argument, though, is that there is no way to limit the expenditure of money on politics without violating the free speech rights of those who want to spend it. -- Gerald F. Seib, The Wall Street Journal
Unfree Speech is an important and valuable contribution to the money and politics literature. . . . [A] well-argued and well-presented counterreformist argument. -- David C. W. Parker, Congress and the Presidency
George Will, Washington Post
Surely will be this year's most important book on governance.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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9 reviews
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Fresh Thinking on an Old Problem
4 Mar 2001
Format:Hardcover
There are lots of sensationalistic books out there about politics and money, most with sensationalistic titles: "The Money Chase," "The Money Men," "The Buying of the President," "The Best Congress Money Can Buy," "The Corruption of American Politics," etc. ad nauseum.
Smith's book is different. Smith argues that the problem of money in politics is vastly overblown, and presents both empirical data and theory to show why. He explains how money in politics actually helps political outsiders and traditionally disadvantaged groups and candidates. He argues convincingly that money makes politics *more* equal, not less. If any of these notions seem strange, consider (as Smith shows) that those who write from the opposing point of view are largely the ones who have created our current campaign finance system.
The writing is at times eloquent, yet straight forward and to the point. For example, would government funding solve the problem? Smith points out that "We have 100 percent government financing of the presidential general election campaigns now." Yet no one thinks that has solved the problems of presidential elections. Should campaign spending by interest groups be limited? The McCain-Feingold bill tries to do so on the grounds that candidates should "control" their campaigns. But Smith asks, "Are efforts to persuade fellow citizens how to vote 'corrupting,' or are they the essence of democracy?" Do you join those who ridicule the position of the United States Supreme Court, that limits on campaign spending restrict free speech? Well, says Smith, "Suppose that government limited the amount that a newspaper could spend to publish its paper, or that a broadcast station could spend to be on the air?" He adds, "If spending money were not a form of speech, the First Amendment would become hollow, since any effort to spread one's message could be stripped of First Amendment protections simply by limiting the expenditure of money." Smith shows how regulation restricts, rather than supports, the ability of average Americans to make their voices count. Big players employ consultants and lawyers to work around the law, but average Americans get run over by it. "[Regulation] has served only to distance Americans from politics and politicians," he concludes.
Again and again, Smith takes common assumptions about campaign finance, and turns them around. The end result is a book about money and politics that is interesting and different. After reading this book, the honest reader will find it difficult to think about campaign finance reform in the same old way.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Converted Me!
14 Nov 2002
Format:Hardcover
This book changing my way of thinking 180 degrees. I was a huge John McCain and Campaign Finance Reform fan, but I read this book just to see what the other side had to say. I am sure glad I did! Smith points out many problems with alleged reform on mulitple levels. If you are interested in campaign finance reform, however you may feel about the subject, I suggest you read this book.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
A must read for those who genuinely care about freedom
15 Feb 2001
Format:Hardcover
Mr. Smith's book is a breath of fresh air in the altogether stagnant debate about the "evil" of money in politics. Smith gives a concise and enlightening history of attempts to control money and speech in American politics and devotes a substantial portion of the book to looking at various "remedies" to the "problem of money." He offers a unique and well-researched look at the many wrong assumptions and fallacious ideas surrounding the current debate on campaign finance. However, as well-written and easy to read as the entire book is, NO ONE should miss reading the last chapter. It is thoughtful, passionate, mind-expanding, and should compell everyone who reads it to stand up for freedom of speech, lest we lose it forever.
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