The United States is best known around the world for many things, among the most notable are hamburgers, Hollywood, and a long history of democracy.
Without downplaying the deep importance of a burger, I want to reflect for a moment on the other two iconic American distinctives, each intertwined with each other.
Our movies are replete with democratic values and practices – so much so that our democratic DNA is deeply engrained in our popular culture. American movies have educated people at home and abroad about how democracy works, highlighted great leaders and terrible shortcomings, provided hope and warnings about democracy’s power, and shown the deep importance of American democracy to empower people to address abuses and challenges.
Some movies have been all about democracy, while others have shown democracy in our daily lives – people voting in the ballot box or the classroom, debating and making decisions through compromise, protesting to bring change, or speaking out online or in the streets about their political leaders. Whether the primary theme or a backdrop to a bigger story, American democratic values and processes have been central to Hollywood for decades, and our films are one of the things the United States is best known for around the world.
The big screen showcases the inner workings of our democracy, something that is opaque and hidden in undemocratic societies. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington introduced many to the American government. 12 Angry Men gave a glimpse into the jury process and its challenges. And even children saw democracy in their daily lives and on the screen in You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown.
Some movies have highlighted our greatest leaders and how they have put our nation and democracy over all other political pressures. They remind us of the importance of selecting great leaders. Lincoln highlights a great president’s struggle to end the abhorrent institution of slavery while maintaining our nation. Hamilton, both a Broadway sensation and a film of the performance, captured the challenging debates among the founding leaders around the Revolutionary War.
Other films have highlighted our shortcomings and those who fought to overcome them, challenging American society to dig deeper into our democratic values as a remedy. Seven Years a Slave chronicled the unimaginable abuses of slavery. Selma captured the incredible campaign to pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Remember the Titans drew sports fans into a compelling drama that reflected the challenges of the Civil Rights Movement and overcoming the legacy of segregation.
Still other movies have highlighted the essential role that journalism plays in informing citizens, exposing political abuse and corruption, and ensuring that the truth is uncovered. Frost/Nixon and All the President’s Men chronicled the important role journalists played in uncovering the corruption in the Nixon Administration. The Post highlighted the complex internal political dynamics of a newspaper.
Some movies show the challenge of power. All the King’s Men, both its 1949 version and 2006 remake, highlight how absolute power can corrupt absolutely, reminding us of the importance of checks and balances on political power. Wag the Dog is part satire, part reminder of a leader willing to start a war to distract from a political scandal.
And, of course, humor is central to Hollywood and to America’s willingness to look at our foibles. The Campaign pokes fun at politicians hell-bent on winning at all costs. Dave gives us a glimpse of the American presidency and what it looks like when someone is asked to pretend to be president for a little while. The Dictator is a humorous but poignant reminder that our democracy can be misused by undemocratic actors.
It’s undeniable that our democratic culture is deeply ingrained in our entertainment. What’s your favorite movie, and where do you see our democracy showing up on the big screen?
Now that we’ve covered movies and democracy, back to that burger. I will take mine with cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and ketchup.
