User:Caseydud/Politics and Pop Culture In the United States

The intersection between politics and popular culture has been a subject of academic study since ancient times. As far back as the ancient Greek philosophers, Plato and Aristotle, studied the relationship between popular culture and politics . Popular culture in the media is now one of the main methods through which many voters throughout the world obtain information about political figures. For example, in the United States, many voters obtain the information they use to vote through popular culture .

Politics, as defined by noted American political scientist, Harold Lasswell, is the process of resolving conflicts and deciding "who gets what, when, and how" . Politics affects the day-to-day lives of everyone in the world and has increasingly become a topic of movies, television shows, music and books throughout the world. Political scandals and triumphs are constantly being reproduced by the modern media. Many forms of popular culture are often based on actual political events, but often take liberties with the truth.

Popular culture as defined by dictionary.com is "cultural activities or commercial products reflecting, suited to, or aimed at the tastes of the general masses of people." Popular culture can come in many forms including: books, television shows, films, songs, and plays. Popular culture is intended to appeal to the masses, and usually be commercially profitable. Therefore, some of the political events that are reshaped through the eyes of popular culture are not 100% accurate portrayals of what really occurred. Conversely, many of the books, plays, films, and songs will actually point out difficult truths which are conveniently ignored by the mainstream media.

This article addresses books, television shows, movies, and songs that have political themes, or agendas. Politics and entertainment frequently collide at many levels, and popular culture also helps shape the political beliefs of many people. Politics and popular culture have mixed since ancient times, with many using popular methods of communication, i.e. plays and music, as a way to criticize or support the leaders of their time. Throughout history, it has played an important part in educating the masses about the leaders of their time. Popular culture has played an important political role, making the leaders of the time accountable for their actions. Many an artist, writer, or musician has effectively pointed out actions of famous leaders that the general public was previously unaware of at that time. By depicting the governing bodies’ actions through popular culture, musicians and artists were able to effectively limit the leader’s powers by making the general public more aware of their actions.

A-Z Political Films and Documentaries With short synopsis

All The President’s Men (1976) Two reporters uncover details about the Watergate scandal that ultimately leads to President Nixon’s impeachment.

Black Hawk Down (2001) Top lieutenants of a renegade warlord find themselves in a desperate battle with a large force of heavily armed Somalis.

Bowling For Columbine (2002) A documentary exploring the roots of America’s predilection for gun violence. (1)

Bulworth (1998) A suicidal and delusional liberal politician puts a contract out on himself and takes the opportunity to be bluntly honest with his voters by affecting the rhythms and speech of hip hop music and culture.

Charlie Wilson’s War (2007) “A drama based on Texas congressman Charlie Wilson’s covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long-reaching effects.” (1)

Dave (1993) A Presidential double takes on new meaning when President Bill Mitchell falls into a coma.

Dr. Strangelove (1964) An insane general starts a process to nuclear holocaust that must be stopped by war room politicians and generals.

Election (1999) A high school teacher’s personal life becomes complicated as he works with students during the school elections.

End of Poverty, The (2009) A discourse on why poverty exists when there is an abundance of wealth in the world.

Fahrenheit 9/11 (2002) A documentary taking a look at the Presidency of George W. Bush and the news media coverage on the War on Terrorism.

Frost/Nixon (2008) A re-telling of the post-Watergate television interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and former President Nixon. (1)

Giuliani Time (2006) “A documentary that investigates the ‘new’ New York City that then-mayor Rudy Giuliani claimed he helped create.” (1)

Hoffa (1992) A film based on the story of legendary union figure Jimmy Hoffa.

Ides of March, The (2011) A staffer for a new presidential candidate gets swept in to dirty politics while on the campaign trail in this movie based on the play by Beau Willimon.

Immortals, The (2011) A documentary paying tribute to the life of World War II Veteran Colonel Robert Murphy.

Inside Job (2010) A documentary looking at what brought about the financial meltdown in the United States.

J. Edgar (2011) A movie documenting the professional and personal image of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover.

JFK (1991) A New Orleans district attorney discovers there’s more to the Kennedy assassination than what was originally written.

Kennedy Assassination, The (2009) A documentary about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, complete with transcripts and media coverage.

LBJ (1991) A portrait of former President Lyndon B. Johnson. Interviews, family photographs, and news footage examine LBJ’s years in Texas politics to his record of civil rights.

Lincoln (2012) The sixteenth President of the United States guides the North to victory during the Civil War.

Malcolm X (1992) The biopic of the controversial and influential Black Nationalist Leader.

Manchurian Candidate (1962) A former Korean war POW is brainwashed by communists into becoming a political assassin. But another prisoner may know how to save him. (1)

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) An idealistic appointed to the U.S. Senate discovers the power of corruption and scandal.

Nixon (1995) The story of former U.S. President Richard Nixon, from childhood to presidency, which ended with his impeachment.

Our Brand is Crisis (2005) A documentary on American political marketing techniques and their consequences.

Primary (1960) A film that follows John F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey during the 1960 Wisconsin primary.

Public Enemies (2009) The federal government attempts to take down three notorious gangsters during the 1930’s.

Pursuit of Equality (2008) A documentary following the same-sex marriage issues in the year 2004.

Quiet American, The (2002) An older British reporter vies against a young American for the affections of a Vietnamese beauty. (1)

Recount (2008) The story of the U.S. presidential election and the recounts that occurred afterwards in the State of Florida.

Reds: The John Reed Story (1981) A radical American journalist becomes involved with the Communist revolution in Russia and hopes to bring its spirit and idealism to the United States.

Schindler’s List (1993) In Poland, during World War II, Oskar Schindler gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by Nazis.

State of the Union (1948) An industrialist is urged to run for President, but this requires uncomfortable compromises on both political and marital levels. (1)

Thank You For Not Smoking (2005) A comedy following the times of big tobacco’s chief spokesperson, who spins on the behalf of cigarettes while trying to remain a role model to his son.

Truman (1995) Biographical account of America’s President Truman during the latter part of WWII.

Uncovered: The Whole Truth About the Iraq War (2004) “Interviews with varied U.S. officials and experts offer a deconstruction on the Bush administration’s case for war in Iraq in the wake of 9/11.” (1)

View From Madison Street, The (2008)

Vote For Me: Politics in America (TV show 1996) African Americans from inner-city Chicago talk about race, class, and the presidential candidates in 2008.

Wag the Dog (1998) The President diverts from sexual controversy by going to war.

Weather Underground, The (2002) A documentary telling the story of how one radical group attempted to overthrow the United States government.

When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts (2006)A documentary examining Hurricane Katrina and the government’s response.

X-Men (2000) A science fiction adventure chronicling super heroes who must stop a terrorist organization of fellow super heroes from taking over the country.

Yoga, Inc. (2007) A look into how yoga has become big business.

Z (1969) An investigator attempts to uncover the truth while government officials attempt to cover up their role of the murder of a prominent leftist. (1)

A to Z Political Television

A-Z Political Television with short synopsis

Absolute Power (1997) A British comedy series that takes place in a ‘government- media relations consultancy’ or a Public Relations firm.

All-American Muslim (2011) – All-American Muslim is a reality show following the lives of certain Muslim individuals within a Muslim community in Dearborn, Michigan.

American Dad! (2005) - American Dad! focuses on Stan Smith, a conservative, Republican. The series follows Stan and His all-American family, made up of his wife Francine, liberal daughter Hayley, and nerdy son Steve.

Blue Bloods (2010) - A police procedural drama following the professional and personal relationships of a family that is full of government employees.

Boss (2011) An American political television series. Boss centers on the mayor of Chicago, Tom Kane (Kelsey Grammer), who has recently been diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disease. Hoping to maintain his political power, Kane hides his disorder from everyone around him.

Criminal Minds (2005) – A television series following the FBI’s special Behavioral Analysis Unit as the team solves crime and captures serial killers.

Cops (1989) – A reality television series following the road patrol of police officials as they respond to calls

The Colbert Report (2005) A satirical news program that focuses on global politics.

The Daily Show (1996) The Daily Show, hosted by Jon Stewart, is a comedic news program that draws its spoofs from current political stories.

Dog the Bounty Hunter (2004) – A drama on A&E, the series stars Duane “Dog” Chapman and his team as they search for fugitives to turn over to the authorities.

The Event (2010) A sci-fi thriller with political twists in the plot. The TV series focuses on an extraterrestrial group that has come to earth and the governments attempt to cover their existence up.

Family Guy (1999) – An animated series, the humor of the show is mostly centered on the American culture, such as politics.

Fringe (2008) Follows the “Fringe Division” of the Federal Bureau of Investigation as the team works to investigate a series of strange incidences believed to be linked to a parallel universe.

Glee (2009) – A musical comedy series on FOX, focused on the high school of a small town in Ohio. The show regularly addresses political and social issues from gay rights to the local Congressional election.

The Good Wife (2009) An American drama that follows the story of a political family’s very public sex and corruption scandal.

Hail to the Cheif (1985) A political comedy that centers on the first woman President’s attempt to balance family time with running the nation.

Hawaii Five-0 (2010) – A police drama following a special tasks force in Hawaii. The unit was set up by the governor in lieu of a state police department. This version is a re-make of the classic series of the same name that aired from 1968 to 1980.

Homeland (2011) – The series follows Carrie Mathison, an agent assigned to the counterterrorism unit of the CIA, and her quest to uncover terrorism plots.

JAG (1995) Concentrates on crimes committed by members of the Armed Forces and the investigations following the crimes committed.

The Kennedys (2011) A behind the scenes story of the personal relationships and struggles within the famous Kennedy family.

Law And Order (1990) An American television drama, follows police detectives as they solve crimes.

M*A*S*H* (1970) A drama-comedy revolving around the Korean War.

NCIS (2003) Follows a team of special agents that perform investigations surrounding the Marine Corps and U.S. Navy.

Pan Am (2011) – Pan Am centers around four Pan Am stewardesses in the early 1960’s. The show follows a few different storylines, one of which involves a spy and secret government procedures.

Parks and Recreation (2009) A comedy series, the show depicts life as a small time politician in local elections and town committees.

Rookie Blue (2010) – A police drama set in Canada, the series follows rookie police officers fresh out of the academy, trying to balance their new careers with personal issues.

Rubicon (2010) An American drama series, the show focuses on an intelligence analyst in a New York City organization who believes he has discovered a spy within the institute.

The Simpsons (1989) An animated sitcom that tackles the average American family’s struggles and triumphs through satire. The series has dealt with numerous political issues throughout its 22 seasons on the air.

The Unit (2006) An American drama series that is based on the real-life top-secret U.S. Army special operations unit.

V (2009) Focuses on the arrival of an extraterrestrial species. The extraterrestrials appear to come in peace, but the aliens have ulterior motives for coming to earth.

The West Wing (1999) A television drama set in the west wing of the White House, where the Oval Office and the offices of presidential senior staff are located.

X-Files (1993) A sci-fi television series centered on the supernatural and the governments attempt to keep the paranormal under wraps.