Who Rules America? - Episode 1

Summary

The video script delves into the question of who truly wields power in America, challenging the myth of a purely democratic society. It examines the influence of Wall Street, the media, and the military-industrial complex on politics and policies, suggesting an 'invisible government' of the wealthy and powerful. The script also touches on the Occupy Wall Street movement, highlighting the struggle for grassroots democracy and the desire for a more transparent and accountable distribution of power.

Takeaways

• 🏦 Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange are central to global finance and have significant influence on American politics and policies.
• 👥 The script suggests that unelected financial firms and powerful forces operate behind the scenes, often working to undo regulations imposed by Congress.
• 🗳️ The American public participates in elections every four years, but the script questions whether they truly understand who holds power in America.
• 📺 Media coverage during elections tends to focus on personalities and polls rather than substantive issues or the forces that candidates represent.
• 💰 Campaigns are heavily influenced by billions of dollars in contributions, with advertising and marketing strategies designed to shape public perception.
• 🤝 The concept of a 'power elite' is introduced, referring to an interlocking set of powerful individuals in business, politics, and the military who set the parameters of change.
• 🕊️ The Occupy Wall Street movement is highlighted as a challenge to institutional power, advocating for more transparent and accountable governance.
• 📈 The script points out that the wealthiest Americans often dictate national priorities and policies through their influence on unelected institutions.
• 🛡️ Laws are mentioned as being written by lobbyists to favor certain interests, suggesting that they may not always represent the majority of Americans.
• 📰 Media companies are criticized for pushing narratives that support the interests of powerful groups, such as the oil industry, and for failing to provide balanced coverage.
• 🌐 The script discusses the idea of 'American exceptionalism' and how it can make it difficult for citizens to comprehend the complex realities of power distribution in the country.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the television series 'Who Rules America'?

The series focuses on investigating the powerful, unelected forces that operate behind the scenes in America, including financial firms, media, military, and corporate forces, and their influence on the country's politics and policies.

What is the significance of the New York Stock Exchange in the context of the script?

The New York Stock Exchange is highlighted as the epicenter of financial power in America, where globally oriented financial firms have extraordinary influence on the country's politics and policies.

What is the role of campaign contributions in the American political system as discussed in the script?

Campaign contributions, often amounting to billions of dollars, are used for pervasive advertisements and are seen as a means through which the wealthy and powerful can influence the political process and the outcome of elections.

How does the script describe the impact of political ads on the perception of candidates?

Political ads are described as cynical and slick, with almost every word scripted and slogans market-tested to promote perception and reinforce prejudices, often concealing rather than informing about the candidates' policies.

What does the script suggest about the effectiveness of regulations imposed by Congress on financial firms?

The script suggests that financial firms are trying to undo the regulations and new laws governing them imposed by Congress, indicating a struggle between the elected government and these powerful entities.

What is the 'power elite' as referred to by sociologist C. Wright Mills?

The 'power elite' refers to an interlocking set of connections of people in business, politics, and the military who determine the parameters of possible change in America, operating more like a permanent establishment that constrains the leeway of elected officials.

How does the script characterize the role of the media in shaping public opinion?

The media is portrayed as pushing propaganda, often in league with the interests of the wealthy and powerful, and sometimes failing to provide diverse viewpoints or challenge the narratives presented by these interests.

What is the perspective of the script on the representation of the American people by their government?

The script suggests that many American citizens, particularly those in the working class, feel that their government is not representative or capable of solving the country's problems, and that their power to influence decisions is slipping away.

How does the script relate the Occupy Wall Street movement to the broader discussion of who rules America?

The Occupy Wall Street movement is presented as a challenge to institutional power, aiming to revive grassroots democracy and raise awareness about the concentration of wealth and power among the 1%, thus contributing to the discourse on who effectively rules America.

What does the script imply about the influence of corporate interests on American foreign policy?

The script implies that corporate interests, particularly those of the oil and gas industry, have significant influence on foreign policy decisions, often leading to outcomes such as wars that may not be in the best interest of the majority of Americans.

What is the script's view on the concept of American exceptionalism?

The script suggests that the belief in American exceptionalism, the idea that the United States is inherently superior to other nations, may be a myth that prevents many Americans from comprehending the realities of power distribution and the influence of the 1% on the country's governance.