Homer Simpson Goes to Washington

by Foy, Joseph J.; Schultz, Stanley K.

• ISBN13: 9780813192543
• ISBN10: 0813192544
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-01-01
• Publisher: Univ Pr of Kentucky

Summary

The modern landscape of American entertainment is filled with commentary on the state of the union. Viewers turn to The Daily Show instead of Fox News or CNN, satirical films such as Wag the Dog, cartoons like The Simpsons, or controversial action dramas similar to 24 to learn more about current events in the United States. Popular culture is educating America more than the nightly news, aiding viewers in their quest to understand the American political system.

Author Biography

Joseph J. Foy, assistant professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha, is a contributing author to The Philosophy of The X-Files and editor of Homer Simpson- Marches on Washington: Dissent through American Popular Culture.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. vii
Introduction. American Idle: Politics and Popular Culture	p. 1
Setting the Stage: American Political Thought, Beliefs, and Culture
Aye on Springfield: Reasons to Vote "Yes" on Popular Culture	p. 9
R for Revolution: Hobbes and Locke on Social Contracts and Scarlet Carsons	p. 19
Political Culture and Public Opinion: The American Dream on Springfield's Evergreen Terrace	p. 41
Cast and Crew: Actors and Institutions in American Government and Politics
Congress, Corruption, and Political Culture: Mr. Bulworth Goes to Washington	p. 63
The President as Hero: Don't Blame Me, I Voted for Bartlet	p. 81
Seeking Justice in America's Two-Tiered Legal System: "I Plead the Fif"	p. 97
Madisonian Pluralism and Interest Group Politics: Inhaling Democracy, Choking on Elitism	p. 117
Entertainment Media and Political Knowledge: Do People Get Any Truth out of Truthiness?	p. 133
Broadcast News and the Movies: Wagging Somebody's Dog	p. 151
Lights, Camera, Politics: Contemporary Issues in American Government
Torture, Terrorism, and 24: What Would Jack Bauer Do?	p. 171
Civil Liberties v. Law and Order: Exploring Responses to Terrorism in The Siege	p. 185
Influencing American Foreign Policy through Popular Music: All the World's a Stage	p. 199
Twentieth-Century American Folk Music and the Popularization of Protest: Three Chords and the Truth	p. 217
Reevaluating Democracy in America: Profound Disappointment, Profound Hope	p. 233
Afterword	p. 251
List of Contributors	p. 259
Index	p. 263
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.