Ready?
You're rolling?
Mkay,  everything's good, for sure? Kay? Kay. I'm not gonna just--we're not doing this again! Kay.

So today we're talking about why we have political -- uh oh. (annoying clinking) my wedding ring. (more clinking) Gotta get used to that.

Group of individuals that make policy related appeals -- (clinks cup)

So that's why political parties exist. But -- (hits cup)

So let's look at three reasons why we have political parties. One, just cause, two, I dunno, and three, let's go to the bar.

Party affiliation can help legislators who represent very different geographic and social interests work together...?

(burps) 'Scuse me! Heartfelt apology for that burp.

And since in many districts... (pauses) Take a breath, take a breath. (breaths deeply)

(Aggressive duck noises)

Partly because there are almost universal agree -- was almost universal agreement that the first president of the US should Jorge Washington.

Ahh! (off screen: Oh! Beard fly!) Ahh!

Favored the more revolutionary French... With their frites... and their foie gras. It was all food-based decision making... back then.

...

Falling apart guys, we're falling apart. (unintelligible off screen) I'm doing great.

And they remain one of the most consistent groups in terms of their party affili -- filliation. Filly... filly. It was the last word!

And its often historical contingency -- contingencies that caused these shifts. Also take away that the word contingencies is hard to say.

Well, one more thing about interest groups and bureaucrac -- (mouth fart noise) Bureaucra -- (mouth fart noise).

Sort of like the idea of wisdom of crowds, or Condorcet's Jury Theorem, with more interest groups providing more ehueh. We will get phueh. Flibidibloo.

People will say that in the US, labor is well represented through -- (mouth noises) -- pow. Bing! Pang! Boop!

Politicians hopes that (mouth noises)

But most people still think of it as providing campaign contributions in return for favorable policy outcomes. (deep breath)

There's no real evidence of this quid pro po... po. There's no real evidence of this quid -- it's so hard to say! Quid pro quo!

It's a little bit tricky to write about how the internet affects politics because it's a-changing... It's a-changing so rapidly! (mock southern accent) It's a, I say, it's a, it's a-changin' so rapidly.

Some of you might be saying, "Craig, get real, the government doesn't regulate the media! We live in a free 'Merica -- (mouth noises). Euehh. Craig."

And politically minded economists -- (laughs)

Railwor... railwo... railroads were... railwo... (mouth noises).

Bring it in. Bring it in. I'm the media. I'm the media. (Exhales sharply)

Trucks! Trucks! We -- there should be an interest group... against trucks. There probably is.

Ain't gonna do it. Wouldn't be prudent. No-oo reelection. Ain't gonna -- (unintelligible) everybody, remember him? Ohh.

I'm not going to discuss the details of the theory, or even whether it's right or wrong, because it's stupid and wrong.

Ready? (off screen muttering) I th... I thought you were READY!

Are you recording? (off screen: Yeah.) Kay, I'm picking my nose so... (off screen muttering) Blooper reel.

(Craig and off screen crew begin singing)

Like Savage Garden. My favorite band from the -- from the 90's. (laughing off screen)

Have you seen the show Hoarders? (off screen: eh... yeah.) (Craig exhales) That'll motivate you to clean.

I... I need to punch that eagle here pretty soon.

Can I do this one as a movie narrator stand? I will. (in a husky voice) Part of the 1996 telecommunications law -- (in a normal voice) Okay, no I won't.

Chyna and I have been watching Gilmore Girls. It's... it is. It is super good. (sighs) Y'know, that Max guy has bad hair. She should get together with Luke.

Kay. (off screen: Oh no!) Oh no!

Because that's the main way the fed controls the money supply. (Stan sneezes off screen) Bless you, Stan. (Stan: I think I made it in time...) You did, but you almost interrupted me. (unintelligible off screen) Never again, Stan! That's it, I'm only doing... three more of these.

Let's try to talk like Hank. (like Hank) And it can be caused by a number of things.

(blows nose very loudly)

More like quantitative wheezing, amirite? (wheezes)

I hope this series on American government and politics has provided you with a little bit of understanding about the way the US works, and that it encourages everyone to participate in the political process, wherever you live. Except for you, you stupid eagle. Heuh! Aaww... (clinking and groaning) (Craig laughs)
Eagle: Sorry...
Off screen: Yeah, that went too far... That was like a real punch...
(Craig stutters)
Off screen: Yeah, the punch was great
Craig: Yeah?
Off screen: But you tripped on the chair... (laughing)... yeah, I saw that.

Crash Course was made with the help of all these hard line -- Is this the right direction? Dangit.

Government and Politics is produced in association with PBS Digital Studios. Support for Crash Course: US Government comes from Voqal. Voqal supports nonprofits that use technology and media ec -- (mouth noises) and media to advance social equity. You'd think I'd have this memorized by now.