Our list of best documentaries on government corruption on Netflix, YouTube and Hulu will just prove what you probably already knew. The governments can’t be trusted.
In its simplest definition, corruption could be described as a behavior of the person in the position of power who uses that power in an unethical way for personal gain. Corruption can take many forms, from bribery trough nepotism to embezzlement. Although we see corruption in all spheres of society, the one that always receives the biggest attention is political corruption which involves government officials.
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The government corruption is something that is common in less developed countries. In such countries, corruption is so big that it often affects even the highest levels of government including the presidents. This was especially the case in some African countries that were ruled by dictators who used their power to gain personal wealth at the expense of their people. Government corruption isn’t something unfamiliar in developed countries. The United States also had their fair share of government corruption scandals, from The Crédit Mobilier scandal in 1867 that involved future President of the United States James Garfield to the one in 2009 involving William J. Jefferson, who currently serves 13 years in prison for bribery. In case that you like documentaries about more unusual subjects, take a look at our list of 15 Best Vice Documentaries on YouTube.
To create our list of best documentaries on government corruption on Netflix, YouTube and Hulu, we took recommendations from multiple sources including Documentary, Documentary Addict and Transparency. Those documentaries that were available on either of these streaming services were then ranked according to their IMDb rating. The best ones entered our list of best documentaries on government corruption on Netflix, YouTube and Hulu. Let’s take a look.
11. Seeds of Death: Unveiling the Lies of GMOs
IMDb Rating: 6.7
Available On: YouTube
The first documentary on our list revolves around genetically modified food, focusing on its dangers. It also talks about GMOs industry and corruptions surrounding it that even reaches the government.
10. Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer
IMDb Rating: 7.5
Available On: YouTube
The documentary ranks 10th in our list of best documentaries on government corruption on Netflix, YouTube and Hulu. It chronicles the work and life of R. Budd Dwyer, a politician from the United States who committed suicide after it was discovered that he received a bribe. The day before he was about to receive a sentence from the court, Dwyer called a press conference and ended his life with a gun.
9. General Idi Amin Dada
IMDb Rating: 7.5
Available On: Hulu
This documentary depicts what happens when corruption takes over the country. It follows the life of former dictator of Uganda, Idi Amin Dada, who spent 8 years ruling the country. His reign was filled with terror and pushed the country into the abyss from which it never really recovered.
8. The Yes Men Fix the World
IMDb Rating: 7.6
Available On: YouTube
The Yes Men are a group of activists who have a mission to raise awareness about problematic issues related to politics. In this documentary, they use various tactics including fake personas, to expose individuals, companies, and members of the government who are making a profit on environmental disasters or by deceiving the public.
7. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
IMDb Rating: 7.7
Available On: Netflix
The documentary tells the story about Enron scandal, considered to be one of the biggest business scandals in the history of the United States. In the center of the scandal was Enron Corporation that used accountant frauds, money laundering, and other conspiracies to stay in business. Besides exploring the scandal in depth, the documentary also investigates the close political ties of corporation’s executives with notable members of the government.
6. Four Horsemen
IMDb Rating: 7.8
Available On: Hulu, YouTube
We are continuing our list of best documentaries on government corruption on Netflix, YouTube and Hulu with Four Horsemen that covers a wide range of topics, from politics and corruption through economics to terrorism. It features interviews with 23 international intellectuals from many fields including Noam Chomsky, Joseph Stiglitz, and Max Keiser.
5. Sweet Micky For President
IMDb Rating: 8.0
Available On: Hulu
Maybe this entry on our list of best documentaries on government corruption on Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu will be a surprise for some, but it does cover the subject of our article. Following musician Michel Martelly was known as Sweet Micky in his race to become the President of Haiti, the documentary also explores the roots and consequences of government corruption in the country.
4. Why We Fight
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Available On: YouTube
The documentary ranks 4th in our list of best documentaries on government corruption on Netflix, YouTube and Hulu. It focuses on the military–industrial complex, exploring its role in the wars that the United States participated in. Why We Fight covers multiple topics, including corruption through interviews with civilians, military experts, and politicians like Senator John McCain.
3. Inside Job
IMDb Rating: 8.3
Available On: Netflix, YouTube
Inside Job investigates the financial crisis in the United States that took place in 2007 and 2008. It is believed that this financial crisis was the worst one in the country since The Great Depression. The conclusion of the documentary is that politics, corruption, and bad banking practices directly led to the crisis.
2. Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom
IMDb Rating: 8.4
Available On: Netflix
Produced by Netflix, this documentary that ranks second in the list of best documentaries on government corruption on Netflix, YouTube and Hulu, tells the story about the protests in Ukraine that demanded closer connections of the country with Europe. The protests evolved into violent demonstrations, switching their goal towards the fight against a corrupted government of Ukraine and demanding the resignation of the country’s president.
1. The War You Don’t See
IMDb Rating: 8.5
Available On: YouTube
The last stop on our list of best documentaries on government corruption on Netflix, YouTube and Hulu also talks about wars and politics. It examines the government’s manipulations and war propaganda. Another major focus of the documentary is the role of media in covering the conflicts and how they are failing to do their task responsibly.
