Final answer:
Industry rules regarding political contributions apply to political parties, candidates for office, and elected officials. These regulations aim to prevent corruption and are overseen by the Federal Election Commission, though rulings such as Citizens United have altered the landscape by allowing unlimited contributions to super PACs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject in question concerns the rules applicable to political contributions, which are designed to maintain investor confidence and ensure market integrity. These rules apply to contributions made to political parties, candidates for office, and elected officials. The intent of these regulations is to prevent undue influence and corruption in the political process, thereby preserving a fair and democratic system. While wealthy individuals and corporations have significant power to influence politics with their donations, regulatory measures have been enacted to add transparency and limits to these contributions.
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) was established to monitor federal campaign donations, enforce contribution limits, and mandate the disclosure of fund sources. However, decisions like Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission have impacted these regulations, enabling corporations and unions to donate unlimited amounts to super PACs, though without direct contribution to individual candidates. This has sparked ongoing debates concerning the influence of money in politics and the balance between free speech and the potential for oligarchic dominance.