Union Donations to Congressional Candidates

Abstract

Scholars have used exchange theory to describe how unions contribute to candidates based on voting records, vulnerabil ity, and party identification. Although the theory has been well accepted, some of its assumptions have not been tested thoroughly. This study uses exchange theory to test new variables: system biases (ideology, right to work and public union laws) and economic interests (i.e., wage levels, public and private sector union differences). Results show that system biases and wages have a greater effect on the level of private sector contributions than on public sector contributions.