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Effects of media on politics
Effects of media on politics
Influence of the media on politics
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In 2014 it is very common to see shows about political corruption such as Scandal and House of Cards. However, it was not the first. In 1939 a director named Frank Capra directed a film called Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. It was one of the first political-comedy dramas of its time. The film illustrated the political corruption specifically in congress which was never done before. The film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington was made in 1939 but Franco’s portrayal of America has similarities to today’s society. Franco portrays different factors of America. One thing that he portrays a lot is the American Government. He shows that the political figures only care about themselves and based their decisions on what will benefit him. This is shown throughout the film specifically in the beginning of the film when Hopper the governor of an unknown state has to pick a new U.S Senator. Hopper flips a coin to choose between Jim Taylor and Henry Hill. Instead it landed on a newspaper with a story about Jefferson Smith. He then realized that Smith will be easier to influence and vote his way. This has not changed at all in America. In 2014 political figures still choose people that will support them and have the same beliefs. The only difference is now a day’s most Americans know more about politics and if they appoint someone that does not have the qualification the public voices their opinions. Another thing Franco depicts about America in 1939 is that anything can happen anyone can become successful. This is shown when Smith becomes the senator. He had all the odds against him but Smith believed he could be a good senator and succeeded. Throughout the movie other politicians try to take advantage of him but he stood strong and did what he t... ... middle of paper ... ...habit. Corruption in politics happens often and will continue to happen. Media plays an important role in politics. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington illustrates this. In the movie the newspaper was controlled by Taylor and his political machine. Due to this the newspaper wrote negative things about Smith and tarnishing his reputation in Washington. He was frustrated because the newspaper made him look like a joke and people in Washington believed it. This also influences passing his bill in the senate. Saunders decided that Smith should call for a filibuster which is talking about the bill and try to influence votes. The newscaster was not accurate with his description of a filibuster because he thinks it just blocks a vote. Saunders was not completely accurate because he talks about passing through the senate but it also has to pass through House of Representatives.
The excerpt “Congress: The Electoral Connection” written by David Mayhew centers around the fundamental arguments that discusses how members of congress are self-interested for reelection. Mayhew further elaborates on his idea by discussing the electoral activities that congress members devote their time into and resource from, which are advertising, credit-claiming, and position taking. Mayhew’s excerpt further examines the framework in how congress operates which contributes to the explanation of how and why congress partakes in the certain electoral activities.
The movie Mr. Smith Goes to Washington did a great job demonstrating the power and influence media can have on American politics. In the movie Jim Taylor is an evil man who corrupts politicians. He uses his control of the media, particularly newspapers, to exert is power on politicians. Without his support politicians are viewed in a negative light by the media and are subsequently unelected (22). In the end of the movie Jefferson Smith who was appointed Senator from his state is falsely accused of trying to profit off of his bill. Senator Jefferson Smith goes to the senate floor to filibuster a motion to have him removed from the senate. The filibuster lasts nearly a full day as does the war of public opinion. Jim Taylor uses his pull with the local media to blacklist all information
1, 2) This man is appointed by the state Governor, Governor Hopper, when one of the Senators from Mississippi unexpectedly dies. 3) Jefferson Smith is chosen as an alternative when the Governor, influenced by a politically corrupt man named Jim Taylor, and the public disagree on which man should be appointed
George Washington Plunkitt was a complicated politician from New York in the 1900’s. He had his own questionable way of seeing what’s right and what’s wrong. Plunkitt’s Ideas of right a wrong sometimes seemed to be off. However, some of his ideas about things that needed to be reformed were as true then as they are now. Plunkitt seemed to be a man that knew how to get what he wanted out of people with very little effort. From the perspective of an outsider this could make him hard to trust, but to people then this wasn’t a problem.
The articles bear similarity in that they both discuss matters relating to America’s political system. Both works address the apparent disinclination of Americans
Beginning with the birth of the twentieth century, the United States was in a dilemma. America needed amelioration; the country had a tremendous amount of potential but was unable to put forth the necessary actions without the correct guidance. It was vital that the United States was pointed in the right direction or more problems would occur. America required political reform and the elimination of corruption caused by the government, thus, the time prevailed for the Progressive Presidents.
“The stereotype of democracy controlled the visible government; the corrections, the exceptions and adaptations of the American people
Mr. Smith is portrayed as an honest man with strong opinions. He is the ideal politician in an ideal society. The film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington depicts a "reassuring image" that happens to be "an image of the past" (Wheeler). However, in today's legislature, people like Mr. Smith are rare due to the fact that a politician's primary goal is re-election. The good of the people may come as another intention of a politician, but it is always secondary to "bringing home the pork." There should be more people like Mr. Smith because the legislature would be able to make decisions more effectively and efficiently, rather than how slowly they currently operate. This is an unfortunate truth, yet it is how our society has been shaped to operate. This becomes apparent after close examination of the United States legislature today and viewing of the film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
There are many accurate depictions of the political process in this movie, but there are also some areas where this movie was just being a people pleaser. The American President accurately portrayed the rolls of the media, the effects of polling, the impact of primaries, and it showed the process of introducing a bill to congress. However, it also was being a typical Hollywood movie at times. This was mostly true in the cases where the President came off being naïve, when he through caution into the wind for a girlfriend, and at other times, like when he was to dignified to join into the smear campaign.
The Anti-Federalists had many views that were different than those of the Federalists. One the differences that seems to be important, is who they view as “The people”. The Anti-Federalists believed that common people should be able to be active participants of their government; this involvement includes having a say in the laws that are made and the protection of everyday working class people. This common man involvement is reinforced by the fact that the Anti-Federalists wanted to keep government more local, by having strong state governments. Using Rogers Smith’s Civic Ideals as a foundation, this essay illustrates that the view of the Anti-Federalists is that the United States of America is combined of many different people, and that representation should be based on these differences rather than just the elite population.
...re importantly, it tries to give democracy a good name at a time when democracy, rule by the people, was feared in Europe and the rest of the world. Democracy in America shows us how each society has certain habits that contribute to its definition of democracy. These habits, some of which are good and some bad, check each other to a balance of normalcy in which everyone has opportunity, safety, and potential progress in society. It shows us that democracy incorporates many “habits of the heart” and aggregates them to a common equality, making it an irresistible force in the world. Conversely, the “habits” of the people change over time. So, what Democracy was in America when Tocqueville visited may not be the same as that today or in the future. However, materialism and religion still play key roles in American democracy as a passion and a temper to that passion.
Former House speaker Tip O'Neil once said that all politics is local, and while that isn't actually true, local politics is a grate example of common corruption. Specifically, one of America's greatest inventions, the political machine. A political machine is most easily explained as an organization that works to win elections so that the machine can exercise political and civil power. The most notorious political machine was New York City's Tammany Hall, which dominated Party politics in the late 19th century, survived until the 20th, and is most associated with wide spread corruption.
The topic I have chosen to write about is the filibuster. The filibuster is a very important and unique issue in American government. The filibuster is used in the Senate to slow up or derail bills. It is also used to block judicial nominees, threatened most recently to be used against Judge Alito. It is a very strong tool especially to the minority party. The minority can use it to make a point or to try and get their way. The filibuster may be very upsetting to the majority party but will be very important to them when they one day become the minority party.
The very history of the country, a major contributor to the evolution of its political culture, shows a legacy of democracy that reaches from the Declaration of Independence through over two hundred years to today’s society. The formation of the country as a reaction to the tyrannical rule of a monarchy marks the first unique feature of America’s democratic political culture. It was this reactionary mindset that greatly affected many of the decisions over how to set up the new governmental system. A fear of simply creating a new, but just as tyrannic...
In the US, mass media plays a significant role in politics. One of the key roles mass media plays in politics includes the airing of the platforms of various politicians. The media influences the view of people on politics and politicians. As the opinion of individuals is affected, the results of the votes are consequently changed (Holden, 2016).