Blog 1 - Parks and Recreation: The political a-political
satire
Parks and Rec is one of my favorite comedic TV shows. One of
my favorite parts about the show is that it is humorous on a shallow light
level similar to the comedy found in the office and 30 rock, yet its characters
satire different political perspectives on a deeper, more intellectual level.
Here’s how I see several of the main characters representing various
perspectives and attitudes in today’s political environment.
Leslie Knope: Democratic and pro-government
Leslie Knope loves her job and her hometown immensely. She
believes in the system and that if she works hard enough, she can make a
difference. Leslie believes in togetherness and sees the government and her
role in it as a way to bring positive change to her community. She sees the
government as an institution that can and has the duty to make people’s lives
better. A lot of irony throughout Leslie’s career path satirizes the
inefficiencies in government and the impact bureaucracy and media have in
communities. For example, Leslie’s project in the first season is to fill a
dangerous abandoned pit in town and replace it with a park. It takes years,
full of backlash from other citizens, businesses, and bureaucratic issues for
this seemingly simple, harmless project to be completed. The show satirizes how
politics can turn non-political issues, such as a small park, into hostile,
complex, and lengthy battles.
Ron Swanson: Libertarianism and anti-government
Ron identifies as
libertarian and his views juxtapose Leslie Knope’s, yet they remain close friends
and work together well. In some ways, their friendship serves as a model-for
what productive compromise could look like in the political environment. Ron
would like the government to be involved in as few things as possible. He is a
self-made person who wants the government to get out of his way. His
characterization uses exaggeration to emphasize his unique beliefs. Ron’s ideas
for new government projects involve things like taking down traffic lights, eliminating
the post office, or bringing “all of this” (the government) crumbling to the
ground.
April Ludgate: Apathetic and pessimistic
April is dry, sarcastic, and uninterested in everything. She
reminds me of an Addams family character. April represents people who are
apathetic about politics. She is not necessarily for or against any ideas,
policies, or candidates, rather, she is unengaged entirely. This is especially
ironic since she works for the government and you would expect her to feel more
about her career.
Andy Dwyre: Blissfully Ignorant and optimistic
Andy is playful, optimistic, and hopelessly clueless. He
represents the attitude of believing things will turn out alright without
wanting to participate or educate themselves on politics. He is hopeful and
places blind, faithful trust in his superiors.
Ben Wyatt: Fiscal and Economic
As an accountant, Ben Wyatt focuses on data, numbers, and
statistics to make decisions. He represents the impact government action has on
the economy in positive and negative ways. As an 18-year-old Ben was elected
mayor of his small town and spent the entire city’s budget on an amusement park
called Ice Town that ruined the town’s economy. This mistake led Ben to spend
the rest of his career in politics trying to help different governments make
fiscally responsible decisions.
All in all, the show is interesting
in how this show is about politics without being polarizing or
overly-political. It shows ways people with completely opposing viewpoints can
work together and make effective compromises and develop creative solutions. It
makes light of a subject that can be divisive in a way that brings people
together.
