Voting democracy off the island essay sample

In “ Voting Democracy off the Island: Reality TV and the Republican Ethos”, Francine Prose asserts her belief of an undeniable tie between highly­competitive reality television and the Republican party that battles their own issues out on the Senate and House floors. Prose makes these connections by first introducing the brutal nature of reality television, a pastime that has soared in popularity in recent years. Shows such as ​ Survivor ​have been pitting everyday people  against each other​ with a large reward awaiting the sole victor at the end of the race.

She declares that with repeated exposure to these shows, we find it more and more acceptable to become the ‘ winner’ by every means possible, even if it’s not a million dollars at stake. Prose also claims that the American public is ignorant to the travesties and perversions of democracy and justice that government officials ­­ the Republican Party in particular ­­ inflict upon the people of the United States. In the spirit of Social Darwinism that is the basis of many reality television shows, the public finds it acceptable for politicians.