Politics Go to the Movies

This examination of film genres discusses how various films in five genres reflect or comment on political themes and ideas. The author uses constructivist and feminist political theory to examine the development of the political discourse in these films.

Joel R. Campbell is professor in the political science department of Troy University in Alabama. He teaches in the Master of Science in International Relations (MSIR) program, as well as the undergraduate political science program. He has written extensively on East Asian politics and political economy, along with film, television, and politics.

Introduction: Magic in the Dark-and Making the Most of a Dark Time Chapter 1: Politics Go Hollywood: Making Sense of Genre Movies and Politics Chapter 2: Gangsters Give Films and TV an Offer They Can't Refuse Chapter 3: Politics of Paranoia and Anger: Thriller and Action Movies Chapter 4: Superheroes Save Our Politics and International Relations Chapter 5: Movies Go to War: Shifting Images of Humans' Most Searing Experience Chapter 6: Let's Play Cowboys and Politicos: The Imagined West, Society, and Politics Chapter 7: Other Genres, Other Politics: From Love Stories to Religious Movies