http://dx.doi.org/10.59704/cf8bdcd3adb031bd https://verfassungsblog.de/the-us-supreme-court-and-plutocracy-elections-citizens-united/ The US Supreme Court and Plutocracy Scheuerman, William E. eng 2025-01-24 electronic resource text/html ddc:342 Citizens United Constitutional Law Democratic Backsliding Plutocracy Trump Donald | 1946- | Geschäftsmann Unternehmer Politiker USA. Supreme Court judicial independence Trump Donald | 1946- | Geschäftsmann Unternehmer Politiker USA. Supreme Court Verfassungsblog Verfassungsblog--2366-7044 CC BY-SA 4.0 Populist authoritarianism is a global phenomenon. However, the US is the only so-called consolidated democracy where its ascent has been eased by the systematic dismantling of legal limits on campaign donations. US elections are now not only the world’s most costly, but they are also directly subject to the inordinate influence of wealthy individuals and corporations. The Supreme Court of the United States’ 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruling has paved the way for the emergence of so-called “super” PACS (political action committees) that, while formally barred from coordinating with candidates or parties, can accept unlimited corporate contributions.