Diplomacy & Politics Glossary

A legal limit on the amount of money an individual or group can contribute to a political campaign to reduce undue influence.

Opaque channels through which large sums of money are funneled into political campaigns without clear disclosure of donors, often circumventing campaign finance laws.

Legal requirements for political campaigns to publicly report sources of funding and expenditures to promote transparency and accountability. Disclosure helps prevent corruption and undue influence.

Legal regulations governing the funding of political campaigns.

Legal gaps or ambiguities in campaign finance laws that allow for unregulated or disguised political spending.

A system where public funds match small donations to political campaigns to amplify grassroots support and reduce candidates' reliance on large donors.

Political spending by groups that do not disclose their donors.

Organizations that spend money on political campaigns without disclosing their donors' identities.

Legal requirements for lobbyists to publicly report their activities and expenditures to promote transparency.

Regulations requiring lobbyists and interest groups to report their activities and expenditures to increase transparency.

An individual who seeks to influence government decisions on behalf of a group or organization.

An organization that collects and spends money to influence elections and legislation, often representing interest groups. PACs play a major role in campaign financing.

A person who advocates on behalf of interest groups to influence government policy and legislation.

Political activities conducted outside formal campaign regulations to influence elections indirectly.

Political donations made to parties or organizations for general purposes not regulated by federal campaign finance laws.

Political action committees that can raise unlimited funds but cannot directly coordinate with candidates.