Week 3 Essay Topic

- Discuss campaign finance reform policies, including the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, and efforts under the Obama and Trump administrations.

- Make an argument as to how effective or ineffective these efforts were, either practically or politically.

- If relevant, explain how such laws affected the ability to self-finance campaigns. Support assertions with facts and data.

Essays should be about 750 words in length, not including repetition of the question or reference list.

Essays should be written in third person perspective. The goal is to create a scholarly argument by presenting a thesis statement and then providing evidence to support that position. "I think, I feel, I believe" and "in my opinion" should appear nowhere in the essay. Personal opinions are not necessary and may weaken your argument.