Political Action Committee
Pools campaign contributions and donates those funds to campaigns
Real World Example
Political Action Committees (PACs) began to gain importance in the 20th century as a way to influence elections and politics by pooling campaign contributions from members. They emerged in response to concerns about fair political representation and the influence of wealthy individuals in politics. These committees allowed groups to collectively support candidates who represented their interests, thereby amplifying their voices in the democratic process. Today, PACs continue to play a crucial role in elections, impacting who gets elected and which policies are prioritized. For example, if a PAC supports environmental policies, it can fund campaigns of candidates who promise to focus on climate change, affecting laws and regulations that impact daily life, such as air quality and renewable energy initiatives.