Movies and Social Science.- I. Political Theory and movies.- Pierre Bourdieu and The Godfather.- Argamben and Batman.- Michel Foucault and the Cuckoo's Nest.- The Concept of “Russian Europeans” In an Anti-War Film The Cuckoo.- Antagonism on Animal Farm.- II. Political Sociology and Movies.- “It’s the economy, stupid.” Politico-economic theories and cinematic language in The Big Short.- The Walking Dead and Breakdown Theories of Collective Action.- “Winter is coming?” Game of Thrones and Realist Thinking.- “Your Revolution is over!” Seeing The Big Lebowski through the Lens of Anarchism.- Polanyi Twisted.- III. International Relations and Movies.-G for Gramsci: Critical perspectives on power in V for Vendetta.- “This is Africa”: The Melian Dialogue In Blood Diamond.- Empire, Multitude, and the Fight Club.
Ulrich Hamenstädt is a lecturer for Politics at the University of Muenster. He teaches international relations, political theory, and methods. In the last years he wrote several books, including publications on the link between political theory and movies.
This book presents essays and scientific contributions examining the link between popular media and politics. The essays focus on the question of how political and social change, concepts of power, and utopian elements are reflected in selected films and television series. The book applies a political science perspective, covering theories from political philosophy, political sociology and international relations, and examines a wide range of movies and TV series, such as The Godfather, Fight Club, The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones. It will appeal to anyone interested in studying how political ideas, concepts and messages can be illustrated and visualized using the complex media of movies and TV series.