Educational Media Reviews Online

Citizen Koch, a documentary centrally focused on the 2012 election to recall Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, primarily addresses the implications of the United States Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling. Rich in live footage, quotes, and interview clips, the film provides numerous points of consideration applicable to multiple disciplines and offers a high degree of potential as an educational tool.

Citizen Koch begins by drawing attention to Fred Koch, father of billionaire industrial tycoons David and Charles Koch, and his co-founding of the John Birch Society. The film then traces the rise of the Tea Party and provides an overview of the Citizens United ruling that nullified Federal Election Commission regulations; effectively allowing unlimited corporate funds to be donated and spent in public elections. The film also highlights the perspectives of middle and working class Republican voters who unexpectedly found themselves at odds with their political party and the Koch financed organization Americans for Prosperity. Thus, the documentary successfully connects past events to present issues, making it useful as a potential augment or supplement for history lectures.

Ultimately, Citizen Koch challenges viewers to think critically about conceptualizations of democracy and freedom of speech in twenty-first century America. The film provides an excellent context for considering the influence of wealth on the democratic process and is therefore relevant to multiple disciplines. For example, the film features commentary from "Buddy" Roemer, former Louisiana governor and 2012 presidential candidate, pertaining to his exclusion from a televised Republican debate due to a requirement that candidates raise a minimum of half a million dollars within thirty days prior to the event in order to participate. The documentary also broaches pertinent issues of class and race. Notably, commentary from Representative Gwen Moore addressing attempts to impose voter identification requirements is included. Moore makes a compelling case for how such requirements is an encroachment on constitutional rights.

Citizen Koch is highly recommended for stimulating critical thought, initiating classroom or group discussions, and supplementing or augmenting lectures.