Wag the Dog
- Type: Reaction card
- Value: $4M
- Card count: 2
Wag the Dog in the game
Another Reaction Card can be used to cancel it's effect
Another Wag the Dog card can be used to divert an action to another player, even back to the original recepient.
When this card is used agaist actions cards that effect multiple players, the same action can be diverted to a player to double the action against them
Wag the Dog in US Politics
"Dog wagging" is a term used to describe a political tactic in which a leader or political figure tries to distract public attention from an issue or scandal by creating a diversion or focusing on a different issue. The phrase "wagging the dog" comes from the idea that a person is trying to "wag the tail" of the public's attention in a different direction.
...more about Wag the Dog
This tactic is used in US politics from time to time, particularly when a political leader or government is facing criticism or controversy. For example, a leader might announce a new policy initiative or launch a military strike to distract from a negative news story.
The impact of dog wagging on US politics and the voters can be significant, as it can distract the public from important issues and undermine trust in the political system. By focusing on a different issue, leaders can avoid accountability for their actions and prevent important questions from being answered.
To limit dog wagging in the future, there are several reforms and transparency efforts that could be made. One is to strengthen the independence of media and investigative bodies, so that they can hold leaders accountable even if they try to distract attention from an issue. Another is to encourage more open and transparent communication from political leaders, so that the public can better understand their motivations and intentions. Additionally, greater engagement by citizens in the political process and more robust public discussions of important issues can help to counteract the effects of dog wagging and ensure that the public's attention remains focused on important issues.
To learn more about instances of "Wag the Dog", you could research political news articles and commentary from reputable news sources, as well as academic journals and books on political science and media studies.
There is no single organization dedicated solely to preventing politicians from "Wagging the Dog", but there are many advocacy groups and non-profit organizations that work on related issues, such as government transparency and accountability, peace and disarmament, and media literacy.
Examples of such organizations include the Center for Public Integrity, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Sunlight Foundation, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), Peace Action, and Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR). You could also consider supporting independent media outlets that prioritize investigative journalism and critical analysis of political events.
Creator Notes
You remember that classic flick from '97, Wag the Dog? Well, guess what? It's happening in real life, and you never know when someone with power is going to pull out all the stops to maintain their stranglehold. That's why we just had to include it in the game - because let's face it, the crazier it gets, the more fun we have!