The Politics of Jack Bauer

The United States of America is the global hegemon. Its decisions affect more people globally than any other nation-state. Forces within the United States government and private sector are responsible for some of the world's worst military conflicts and human rights abuses. World citizens, sceptical of the holders of this power and its legitimacy, scrutinise the U.S relentlessly. Their most pertinent question is undoubtedly: What makes the power held by the United States legitimate?

According to who is asked, there are many different answers to this question. If we bravely turn to the narratives of contemporary popular culture, the answers vary greatly indeed. One answer that has garnered significant controversy is that offered by the fast paced, real-time story of television's '24.' Riddled with conspiracy theories and corrupt government officials, the '24' universe has a paranoid atmosphere reminiscent of 'The X-Files.' Though instead of government consortiums bent on concealing the existence of extra-terrestrials, the conspirators of '24' work to increase US hegemony even though innocent Americans may be harmed in the process. As a plot device, paranoia is very exciting. It creates suspense and serves as a great environment for character development. As a political commentary on the legitimacy of American hegemony, it reveals a public suspicion of the State that has grown all the more prominent post-9/11.

The Emmy-award winning series '24,' sees federal agent Jack Bauer in crisis after crisis working to prevent terrorist attacks. The show has been accused of a right-winged bias by a few prominent U.S political commentators and it is easy to see why. Terrorists in '24' are usually always psychopathic foreigners and their evil plans are stopped by such omnipresent, American, technological innovation as spy-satellites and cell-phone traces. This is despite the fact that the Counter-Terrorism Agency (C.T.U), the only real consistent location in the show, is the archetypal, flawed government organisation.