Politics has always been an interesting subject to explore. Power, chaos, and a tad bit of lunatic defunctism—TV shows that explore this territory can end up feeling as dramatic and intense as real-life problems. They make us laugh, they make us cry, and occasionally cause me to yell at my television.
These are the 20 best political TV shows that depict American democracy. Each new series gives a fresh look, providing viewers with their own exciting and entertaining journey through American political life. The iconic series that started it all: The West Wing. As we confront the vagaries of politics, its idealism allows us to hope. Why can’t all politicians be as virtuous as President Bartlet?
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House of Cards could not be more different. With dark political intrigue surrounding Frank Underwood and his zero-sum game of pursuit for power, this show asks all these questions about morality in politics. To what lengths would you go to live your dreams?
Then there’s Veep, a political comedy as sharp in its language and social insights. Julia Louis-Dreyfus stars as Selina Meyer, navigating the light and ludicrousness of political life. It is funny, and we can all relate to it a bit too much. How many of us here have felt in over our heads at work?
‘Scandal’ (drama/thriller) features the television character Olivia Pope, who fights her way through fame, scandal, and manipulation. It’s an emotional roller coaster that makes you wonder about the balance between loyalty and ambition.
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Next up: “Parks and Rec.” He says it’s a comedy that lets us explore local politics. Leslie Knope inspires us to believe that public service can change the world. What a joy to encounter a character with such heart!
‘The Crown’ is all about the British monarchy, yet it has political ramifications. Queen Elizabeth’s power struggle is more than an optics exercise; it exposes leadership challenges and prompts reflection. So what does it look like to lead well?
The Politician Review (Netflix) is a tale of ambition that sees us through the eyes of an affluent student. It refers to the youth and strength. Are we underscoring the power of young people? Next, ‘Designated Survivor’ is full of suspense.
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A low-level cabinet member becomes President of the United States after a catastrophic attack kills everyone above him in the line of succession. With the situation at its worst, it becomes increasingly difficult to cope, especially in today’s erratic environment. If that same situation happened to you, what would you do?
What Madam Secretary demonstrates brilliantly is the nuance of diplomacy. Elizabeth McCord tackles difficult tasks with aplomb and is a role model for many. Why is empathy so important in today’s political climate?
‘The Good Fight’ is a spinoff of ‘The Good Wife’ and is unburdened by the constraints that come with network television. It highlights the width of the grey area that is the law with regard to politics. Aren’t our laws often simply a reflection of what we as a society demand?
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Britannia, the anticipated political gladiatorial era, may be set in the past, but its themes resonate today. The more things change, the more they stay the same — but isn’t that fascinating too? Denmark marks its presence with ‘Borgen,’ which examines political compromise and the cost of leadership in very human terms. What it says is: can you even collaborate?
In an alternate reality, ‘The Man in the High Castle’ does a really creepy job of talking about political oppression and fighting against one-led-state pagination. What could it have been different?
The fake news network that anchors ‘Newsroom’ addresses how truth must reign in journalism at a time of political ferment. Have we ever needed journalistic integrity more? ‘Chernobyl’ tells us we should fear the lies of our leaders, writing about the accountability of government and aspects of secrecy. Just how much do we trust our leaders to manage sensitive information?
‘The Shield’ intermingles police and corruption in a compelling manner. Characters frequently struggle with moral quandaries that reflect wider political issues. Where are the limits of justice never to be crossed?
Then we have ‘Fargo.’ Its tales are more cyclical than issue-based, because even though ‘In Other Words’ is not so much political, it is constantly documenting behavior, ethics, and systemic failures. It is strange how many times crime and politics cross paths.
Lastly, ‘American Government’ takes the academic route and demystifies political processes for the ordinary Joe. What can we do to create greater political participation in the electorate and encourage turnout?
The reason, finally, is that these political performances hit home. Society struggles, and that is what these films depict. They require us to think in a more layered, nuanced way about leadership. Their only hope is that they provoke us into participating in this democracy we live under.
To me, of course, the best stories in politics show a bit more about our own humanity. They make us all take a look at ourselves as members of a democratic society. In the end, we all contribute to an unwritten story of governance.
