To the Editor:

The Wisconsin recall election, which was characterized by a highly unequal playing field in terms of campaign spending, highlights the sorry state of American elections. Current election law enabled Gov. Scott Walker and allied corporate interests to raise almost eight times as much money as his opponent did. Highly unequal access to political resources, such as campaign finance, reduces the distinction between elections in a democracy and those in a competitive authoritarian regime. When the playing field becomes sufficiently unequal, it can create a probability that incumbents will be returned to office. Political scientists call that sort of system “competitive authoritarianism.”

The Supreme Court decision in Citizens United held that the right of freedom of speech prevents limiting corporate spending in candidate elections. But a country that cannot limit campaign spending inequality between incumbents and challengers has lost the ability to ensure a level playing field in elections. In that case, democracy in America is imperiled, because one of the chief differences between it and competitive authoritarianism is closing.

ROSS ZUCKER
Kew Gardens Hills, Queens, June 6, 2012

The writer is a professor of political science at Lander College.

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To the Editor:

David Brooks admires the way Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin “did at least take on entrenched interest groups” (“The Debt Indulgence,” column, June 5). Mr. Walker himself argues that he had the courage to confront special interests. But exactly which “interest groups” do Mr. Brooks and Mr. Walker have in mind?

The assault on public unions in Wisconsin deeply affected teachers, nurses, state and municipal employees, and other groups — in short, the working middle class. I’m not quite sure in what sense the great number of people who hold these jobs essential for a well-functioning society constitute “entrenched special interests.”

STEVEN NADLER
Madison, Wis., June 6, 2012

The writer is a professor of philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.