Answer :
The timeline suggests an increase in campaign finance regulation over time, with significant reforms such as the Tillman Act, Taft-Hartley Act, Federal Election Campaign Act, and the McCain-Feingold Act attempting to restrict campaign finance but also facing challenges and circumvention. The correct answer is c. An increase in campaign finance regulation over time.
The timeline of events reflects an overall trend of increasing campaign finance regulation, with a focus on addressing the influence of wealth in politics. Initially, there were limited regulations around campaign finance, but reforms began intensifying in the early 20th century with acts like the Tillman Act and Taft-Hartley Act.
Over time, these regulations evolved as campaigns found new ways to navigate or exploit the system. The passage of the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) in the early 1970s added more stringent controls such as the creation of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and requiring transparency in funding.
Despite these efforts, loopholes and circumventions persisted, leading to further debate and legislation like the McCain-Feingold Act in 2002, which was a significant move to restrict soft money contributions but also faced challenges and led to the rise of political organizations finding new ways to influence elections without explicit endorsement.
These efforts mirror the ongoing debate between the values of liberty and equality in campaign finance law, as seen in the desire to curb corruption against the protection of free speech. This tension has resulted in a dynamic regulatory environment that attempts to balance these sometimes competing interests.
