Nevertheless, Lessig is right to draw attention to the wide gulf between our aspirations to self-government and our actual practices. Corruption is a strong word, but it is captures the undue influence of those with money to throw around.
Lessig’s incipient candidacy may already be having an effect. On Tuesday, Hillary Clinton said, “We have to end the flood of secret, unaccountable money that is distorting our elections, corrupting our political system, and drowning out the voices of too many everyday Americans.” She proposed a host of electoral reforms, including matching funds for small donations.
Clinton has championed such reforms for a long time, it’s true. But no one should be surprised if Lessig’s campaign leads both Democrats and Republicans to give them far more attention.