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CALL FOR PAPERS: CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

August 08, 2010 at 12:37 p.m.

CITIZENS DIVIDED ON CITIZENS UNITED:
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT


Chapman University School of Law:
Nexus Journal of Law and Policy
Orange, CA

October 22, 2010

In connection with the Supreme Court’s recent holding in Citizens United v. FEC and the upcoming November election, Chapman University School of Law's Nexus Journal of Law and Policy is pleased to host a legal symposium on Friday, October 22, 2010, on the topic of Campaign Finance Reform and the First Amendment.

This symposium provides a great opportunity to explore and discuss the range of state and national issues that arise within the area of campaign finance from both a philosophical and pragmatic viewpoint. The deadline to file for candidacy has passed, the primary elections will take place in a few short months, and the highly anticipated mid-term elections will occur on the first Tuesday of November. All across the nation the stage has been set to witness the effect of Citizens United in vivid, high-definition. The symposium date of October 22, 2010, was carefully chosen to be both timely and significant as it is less than two weeks prior to the November 2, 2010 election. Rarely have we had the chance to observe the practical consequences of a Supreme Court decision with such intimacy and immediacy.

Campaign finance truly affects our system of government on its most basic levels. In 2006, candidates spent over $750 million for election to the House and $514 million for election to the Senate. In 2008, congressional campaign costs ran over $2 billion and the costs continue to rise. What will we see in 2010? Citizens United marks a new paradigm as the most recent Supreme Court ruling challenges the way we balance the influence of money against the First Amendment in political campaigns. It brings to the forefront questions about the fundamental principles of democratic representation, our conception of political speech, and the rationalization of personifying business organizations. This symposium offers the opportunity to speak and publish on First Amendment jurisprudence as it sits on the precipice of fundamental change.

TOPICS:

We are now accepting proposals for papers and panel presentations on issues related to this symposium topic. Examples of the types of topics that we encourage authors and panelists to submit include but are not limited to:

  • The Constitutional Rationale of Citizens United
  • The Role of the Courts in Campaign Finance
  • The Role of Money in Political Campaigns
  • The Personification of Corporations, Political Action Committees, and Unions as Speakers
  • Unbridled Political Speech and the Preservation of Democracy
  • The Role of Foreign Corporations in United States Elections
  • The Effect of Unlimited Independent Expenditures on Elections
  • How Much Will Media Conglomerates Charge for Free Speech?
  • Congressional Action in the Wake of Citizens United: Foreign Corporate Spending
  • Is it Time to Overturn Limits on Campaign Contributions?
  • The Difficulty of Corporate Accountability for Independent Expenditure Attacks
  • The Reversal of Austin: Are Corporations Really That Different from Individuals?
  • Stare Decisis: When Should the Court Give Deference to New Precedent?


PAPER SUBMISSION PROCEDURE:

Interested authors and presenters should submit an abstract of not more than 250 words to:

Email: nexuslawjournal@gmail.com by August 15, 2010. Authors and presenters will be informed by August 31, 2010 of the outcome of the initial review process. Final papers will be due on October 22, 2010, however, some extensions may be granted. Accepted papers will be published in the Chapman University School of Law, Nexus Journal of Law and Policy in a special symposium issue, and authors will be expected to present at the symposium. The Nexus Journal expects to be able to cover the cost of travel and accommodations to attend and present at the symposium.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Questions and requests for further information can be directed to: CONTACT: Kyle Worrell, Editor-in-Chief, Nexus Journal of Law and Policy Email: worre100@mail.chapman.edu Faculty advisors include Professor Hugh Hewitt and Dean Timothy Canova.