Curtis State of Play

For a democracy to flourish, an individual needs to have power. He needs to feel free and empowered; he needs to feel in control. But, when a myriad of large corporations are functioning as an individual, using their excessive funds to gain control of the government, the actual individual feels undermined and unimportant, thus becoming disillusioned by democracy, thus discrediting democracy.

In State of Play, the mega-corporation PointCorp is the corporation compromising the individuals’ role in democracy. The business is apparently comprised of several small corporations, building their fund together and functioning as one. PointCorp, which is a private defense contractor, is the parent corporation and stands gains a staggering $40 billion in profit from their mercenary activities in the Middle East and domestically. Throughout the film, the company is attempting to create a monopolize and privatize United States security,

PointCorp is able to pay of members of congress, and, it is assumed, various others members of government. This is blatantly illustrated by the use of Rep. George Fergus, in the film. Fergus was the reason PointCorp was able to dig further into Congressman Collins’ area of government; he suggested PointCorp spy Sonia to Collins, knowing full well that the corporation would be gathering information to further their corrupt business. PointCorp easily pays off Fergus; he is easily manipulated into doing whatever they ask of him, because they have the money to pay him. Fergus would not, however, immediately carry out the wishes of an average Joe he met on the street.