Fallows’s article expresses that Bedford Falls is reflective of the contemporary political times that Arthur Schlesinger emphasizes in The Vital Center: The Politics of Freedom. In this view, there were three political viewpoints at the time of Truman’s presidency: progressive, liberal, and conservative. The progressives were too soft and were seen as irresponsible. The conservatives were seen as too cruel and invasive. The liberals were at the center, as Fallows describes, “between communism and fascism.” George Bailey embodies this liberal morality and acts on a check of the two extremes. Mr. Potter embodies the conservative right. He is greedy and oppressive, caring solely about money over physical needs. Naturally, when Clarence first sees Potter, he asks, “Who’s that, a king?” Uncle Billy, conversely, represents the progressive right. He is incompetent and weak. As a result, he accidentally provides Potter with the means to destroy Bailey. These two are single and both portrayed negatively. George and his father Peter are both shown as the righteous liberals. They are family men, which encompasses not only their own families but also their communities. They take care of the community while still being realistic in their goals. George does have experiences with progressive and conservative urges. He progressively wants to escape town and find adventure and idealistic freedom. Conservatively he has an urge to earn more money and power. He complains of his shabby house and his cheap car and even considers Potter’s job offer. However, he is able to subdue these extreme urges, demonstrating his ultimate success.
    This article is powerful in its ability to find exactly why George Bailey is the ideal character within the film. Not only is he charitable, but also he is the character that maintains a perfect balance. He is realistic in his goals and accomplishment and is caring in his interactions. He has conservative and progressive urges, but he suppresses them for the good of the community. While he may not originally see the value of this balanced way of life, he sees it in the end in the friendships that save him. George Bailey is not a failure because of the balance he has found in his life.

Fallows, Randall. “George Bailey in The Vital Center: Postwar liberal politics and It's a Wonderful Life” Journal of Popular Film & Television. 25.2 (1997) pg. 50-56