Integrity And Morality In Barry Levinson's Wag The Dog

Barry Levinson’s Wag The Dog, investigates the role of integrity and morality in individuals’ and institutions’ quest for power. Brean’s motto ‘change the story, change the lead’ summarises the Government’s approach towards handling the sexual scandal and peoples’ attitudes towards conserving truthfulness and ethical behaviour when trying to obtain influence. It explores one 's willingness to lie, exploit others, neglect aspects of morality and ‘dispose of’ innocent citizens. Brean refers to a war tragedy and the Government’s response to quell public outrage by distracting them with a new war, ‘it’s not a new concept’: it is a strategy repeatedly utilised to gain or maintain authority, as is demonstrated in the film. Thus, Levinson shows that maintaining ethics and honesty is the first obstacle in the quest for power.

In Wag The Dog, the truth is manipulated and sacrificed, in order for political parties and individuals to obtain and preserve power. Levinson shows that truth is the first casualty in the maintenance of presidential power through the Government’s immediate decision to deflect the truth by creating a diversion. This contrasts with the honest response the public deserves, ‘war is show business: that’s why we 're here’ Conrad remarks cynically to Motss. The Opposition also immediately …show more content…
This is demonstrated through the immediate creation of a faux war for the President and his team to maintain political dominion and societal influence. Lighting and sound are used to highlight the manipulation of the truth and the transforming natures of characters(untrustworthy and ruthless). Levinson also reinforces the need to sacrifice morality for power by juxtaposing Ame 's motherly and manipulative sides. Thus, Levinson illustrates that ethics and honesty are the first casualties in the quest for