Author Type

Undergraduate Student

Date of Award

Spring 4-28-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

July 2026

College Granting Degree

Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Mark Tunick

Abstract

In Citizens United v. FEC (2010), the Supreme Court ruled that corporations, like individuals, have First Amendment rights, enabling limitless corporate spending on political advocacy. This decision, made in the name of free speech, discounted concerns about corruption and destabilized the marketplace of ideas by granting corporations disproportionate influence and effectively drowning out citizens’ voices. I demonstrate how Citizens United deviated from legal precedents and the Framers' intentions for the First Amendment. Drawing from On Liberty, I argue that John Stuart Mill, one of history’s greatest free speech advocates, would have opposed the ruling, recognizing its distorting effects. I further underscore practical concerns including the role of corporations as political agenda-setters and widespread public concern over their influence, as reflected in polling data. To restore a balanced marketplace of ideas and ensure that democracy remains “for the people”, I conclude that Citizens United must be overturned.

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