What follows is a list of our favorite political TV shows ever – whether the action is set in the U.S. Even the most idealistic political TV series like The West Wing implicitly understand that there’s something pulpy and fun about a group of seemingly well-educated professionals trying to confront the impossible contradictions of running a free society. Episodic dramas play with the exquisite tension produced by flawed institutions while comedies just have a blast laughing at the circus. No medium is better suited to take advantage of political dysfunction than television. Fortunately for our televised bemusement, however, it is. Unfortunately for our society, that’s obviously not the world we live in.

In a perfect democratic political system, very serious people dress up in formal wear, gather in Greco-Roman style buildings, and sincerely debate the issues of the day, coming to a perfect compromise with well-reasoned legislations. Politics shouldn’t be the least bit entertaining.

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