ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the exchange perspective is utilized to illustrate the benefits of campaign contributions for the recipients (politicians) as well as returns for donors. Politicians see an increase in electoral odds, a boost in power/sway within political bodies, and more opportunities for income once they are out of office (e.g. through lobbying). Donors get greater access to officeholders in return for their donations and have an outsize influence on policy decisions—patterns confirmed in the scholarly literature on the topic. This is especially true on “low visibility” legislation, but holds on other policies as well.
