[JonnieCache]

It's not so much that these things are interfered with by petty politics, rather that they are defined by petty politics.

See the following clip from the sitcom-cum-documentary Yes Minister for a more complete elucidation of the issues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmXzGI0XP7M

If you want to understand british politics, watch all of Yes Minister. Then watch all of its spiritual successor, The Thick Of It.

[betageek]

Couldn't agree more with this comment - even better the genii behind The Thick If It have a new HBO series which I imagine will have an interesting take on US politics: Veep http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veep_(TV_series)

[megablast]

And if you want to know about US politics, watch the West Wing.

Sorry, could not resist, just kidding. WW is an idealised form of government.

[NickPollard]

'Yes, Minister' and 'The Thick of it' are satire. They don't show government in a very favourable light.

[JonnieCache]

The thing is though, large chunks of yes minister are true stories. This is less true for the thick of it.

[wgx]

Having worked in a UK government press department I can tell you that The Thick of It is very close to the truth in more cases than most imagine.

[mjwalshe]

and YM is Maggie Thatchers favorite show

[volatile]

And if you want to know about Australian politics, watch The Hollowmen.