The expansion of mass media has made running for office more expensive due to the influence of money on campaigns and the shift towards candidate-centered politics.
The expansion of mass media has made running for office more expensive primarily due to the influence of money on campaigns. With the rise of mass media, politicians need funding for advertising, especially on platforms like television and the internet, to reach a wide audience. This increased reliance on costly media campaigns has made fundraising crucial for candidates, as the cost of organizing and running campaigns has seen a significant rise over the years.
Furthermore, the shift towards candidate-centered politics driven by the media has led to personal campaign organizations. Candidates now appeal directly to the public through platforms like social media, reducing the reliance on traditional party structures. This change has intensified the need for fundraising, pushing parties and campaigns to seek larger amounts of money from wealthy contributors to finance expensive media strategies.