STATUS-SEPARATION AND STATUS-FUSION: THE ROLE OF P ACs IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN DEMOCRACY

Though there is wide agreement among political scientists that separation of political and socio-economic statuses is necessary for the functioning of democracy, wide disagreement exists over the extent to which political statuses in tlie United States differ from socio-economic ones. This article focuses on PACs (Political Action Committees) as a new means for status-fusion in the United States. The nature of PACs is investigated as well as their changing role and increased importance in campaign financing. Data, previous studies, and observations are used to argue that PAC contributions have not only an effect on Congressional voting records and electoral outcomes but serve to enhance the power of socio-economic elites. Research in Political Sociology, Vol. 4, pages 145-165. Copyright @ 1989 by JAl Press, Inc. AIl rights of reproduction in any fonn reserved. ISBN 0-89232-901-7