Final answer:
Joseph Heller's 'Catch-22' satirizes the absurdities and inefficiencies of military and political institutions, emphasizing issues such as bureaucratic red tape and the need for civilian oversight.
Step-by-step explanation:
Catch-22 (1961) by Joseph Heller exaggerates the problems of institutions in military and politics. This satire draws attention to the absurdities and bureaucratic inefficiencies present within these institutions. The novel highlights the issues that can arise in an environment where the rules are irrational, and the individual is caught in a seemingly endless loop of contradictory regulations - a true 'Catch-22' situation. The narrative illustrates the struggles of individuals within the military trying to maintain their sanity amidst the chaos of war and bureaucratic red tape, reflecting broader themes of the individual's role and power (or lack thereof) within political and military institutions.
The problems highlighted by Heller resonate with the real-world complexities of political institutions. These are organizations with set rules and norms, shaping how members interact with one another and influence political systems. The depiction in Catch-22 correlates to a broader societal distrust in political institutions due to perceived failures such as corruption, inefficacy, or an inability to safeguard public interest. This skepticism leads to a larger dialogue about the citizens' role in holding such institutions accountable and the importance of democratic engagement to ensure that institutions serve the community effectively and ethically.