Public Interest Litigation and Political Finance Reform

Abstract

More than any other individual or group actor, Common Cause shaped current law regulating election finances. It managed to do so by developing and carrying out a craftsmanlike strategy which blended litigative, legisla tive, and publicist tactics into a coherent and mutually advantageous whole. Without litigation, the need for new laws might well not have become obvious. Without legisla tion, the court suits could have left campaign finance reform unconsummated. Together, they constituted an im pressive example of a citizen lobby operating resourcefully and productively to benefit the public interest.