The Internet and Campaign Finance in the U.S. and the UK: An Institutional Comparison

ABSTRACT

While much literature on the Internet has drawn heavily on the ideas of normalization or optimism, this article seeks to define a more complex relationship between existing political institutions and new technology. With reference to the development of campaign finance strategies in the U.S. and the UK, it will aim to show that existing political circumstances and technology share a dialectic relationship when it comes to generating outcomes. The success of online fundraising in the U.S. is certainly reforming political life, but it is the product of longstanding arrangements and beliefs that have catalyzed its impact. In contrast in the United Kingdom, institutional arrangements have retarded the potential of the Web in this area.

KEYWORDS:

• Campaigns
• elections
• fundraising
• online politics
• United Kingdom
• United States

The author would like to thank Dr. Andrew Chadwick of Royal Holloway College for his support and advice in producing this article, as well as all the members of the faculty and research students who offered many useful comments on an earlier version of this paper in a departmental seminar. Additionally, the author gratefully acknowledges the advice and guidance of the three anonymous reviewers who commented on this article. The normal disclaimers apply.