The influence of Homer Simpson: impact of television comedy on US election 2008 - Dissertation Example

One of the guiding principles of democracy is government by the people and for the people. In many countries, however, the people have either lost interest in the government, or they fell disenfranchised. A recent survey conducted in America found that only 20% of respondents could even verbalize the five fundamental freedoms guaranteed to them by the First Amendment to the Constitution (Guhlstorf, Hallstrom & Morris, 2008, p.23). This indicates a lack of understanding of the basic principles that the country was founded upon.

When individuals do not understand their rights, they can easily be taken advantage of as a society and be subject to the will of a more dominant group. At the same time, mass media seems to have pervaded every facet of American society. This is demonstrating by findings from the same aforementioned survey that uncovered that 40% of the respondents could identify at least two members of the comedic family, the Simpson’s (Guhlstorf, Hallstrom, & Morris, 2008, p.23). The very idea that comedy is more memorable than individual freedoms and rights is a bit frightening.

The implications are serious because, as mentioned, the effectiveness of a democracy is directly related to the involvement of the people. If the Simpson’s become more important to people than the governing of society, then the will of the people will almost certainly be stymied. It has been said that, “Political humor is also connected to the study of freedom, as jokes about the government are generally not allowed in oppressive regimes” . At the same time, mass media seems to have pervaded every facet of American society.

This is demonstrating by findings from the same aforementioned survey that uncovered that 40% of the respondents could identify at least two members of the comedic family, the Simpson’s (Guhlstorf, Hallstrom, & Morris, 2008, p.23). The very idea that comedy is more memorable than individual freedoms and rights is a bit frightening. The implications are serious because, as mentioned, the effectiveness of a democracy is directly related to the involvement of the people. If the Simpson’s become more important to people than the governing of society, then the will of the people will almost certainly be stymied.

With these findings in mind, the purpose of this project is to ascertain the significance of mass media and comedy, particularly the Simpson’s, as it relates to the outcome of national elections in the United States of America. It has been said that, “Political humor is also connected to the study of freedom, as jokes about the government are generally not allowed in oppressive regimes” (White & Holman, 2011, p. 88). Through such avenues as political cartoons, late night talk shows, and editorials, Americans have long found a good bit of humor in their politicians, and the political process in general.

It is with this in mind that this study is particularly well suited to determine if television comedy can actually take that humor and shape public opinion. As Americans view The Simpson’s, it is quite plausible that they find themselves identifying with the various storylines represented and that they look towards shaping their own ideals based off of the characters. If this were to happen