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Full-Text Articles in Law
Madison's Hope: Virtue, Self-Interest, And The Design Of Electoral Systems, James A. Gardner
Madison's Hope: Virtue, Self-Interest, And The Design Of Electoral Systems, James A. Gardner
Journal Articles
In recent years, perhaps no institution of American governance has been so thoroughly and consistently excoriated by legal theorists as the familiar American system of winner-take-all elections. The winner-take-all system is said to waste votes, lead to majority monopolization of political power, and cause the under representation and consequent social and economic subordination of political minorities. Some political scientists have attempted to defend winner-take-all systems on the ground that they perform better than PR in maximizing long-term collective and social interests. This article argues, in contrast, that winner-take-all electoral systems rest upon, and can be adequately defended, if at all, …
The Recusal Alternative To Campaign Finance Legislation, John C. Nagle
The Recusal Alternative To Campaign Finance Legislation, John C. Nagle
Journal Articles
Typical campaign finance proposals focus on limiting the amount of money that can be contributed to candidates and the amount of money that candidates can spend. This article suggests an alternative proposal that places no restrictions on contributions or spending, but rather targets the corrupting influence of contributions. Under the proposals, legislators would be required to recuse themselves from voting on issues directly affecting contributors. I contend that this proposal would prevent corruption and the appearance of corruption while remedying the first amendment objections to the regulation of money in campaigns.