‘The Wire’ reflects a declining American cityscape where people’s lives have become more dangerous and less comprehensible

The concept that dramatic fiction should be a form of truth, and not just entertainment is not a new one, and much of contemporary cultural production now aims to hold a mirror up to society. Mark Wheeler takes a close look at how television series The Wire has provided telling insights into contemporary urban American life. He writes that the series reflects the rise of free-market neoliberalism in US cities, which has led to the collapse of the social justice system. He argues that through its characters and stories, The Wire reflects the current conflicts between individual activism, in its portrayal of gangs and drug dealers, and the institutional stasis of law enforcement and city officials.