Movies, television, and American culture permeates even the most remote reaches of the globe in unprecedented levels. What affect does the spread of the American zeitgeist have on global perceptions of the US? This book analyzes the complex role entertainment plays in foreign policy - weighing its benefits and setbacks to national interests abroad.

"With its richly detailed historical analysis, American Empire and the Arsenal of Entertainment weaves a compelling narrative demonstrating that the medium of entertainment has at times been just as important to the success of the American imperial project as the deployment of raw material capability or global institution-building. Fattor's exhaustive examination of the period of modern empire from 1815 to the present points to thought-provoking questions about the future of informal American empire. Anyone interested in the past and future of American power, especially students and scholars of empire and critical International Relations theory, will welcome this timely and creative book." Daniel J. Whelan, Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations, Hendrix College, USA

"Fattor's American Empire and the Arsenal of Entertainment gives its readers the theoretical tools to see those elements of US Foreign policy that focus on the domination of others. Throughout this book Fattor illustrates the linkages between theory and practice, deftly weaving sophisticated analysis with clear empirical examples. Ultimately, Fattor has written an outstanding book of applied critical international relations theory that will remain relevant for anyone who wants to know how the American Empire was constructed. In an age marked by the imperial monopoly on violence, Fattor offers both insight into the past and into the possible sources of resistance and the revitalization of emancipatory politics." Amentahru Wahlrab, Senior Lecturer of Political Science, University of Texas at Tyler, USA

Autorentext
Eric M. Fattor studies the role of information and communications technologies in international political systems. He has previously taught international politics and American foreign policy at Hendrix College, the University of Colorado, and Colorado State University, USA.

Inhalt

1. Introduction: The Rise of a Global Communications Capability and the Weaponizing of Entertainment 2. Legitimacy Through Popular Entertainment: Bringing the British Empire to Life (1815-1945) 3. Overcoming Isolationism: Exceptionalism, Film and the Rise of American Empire (1898-1945) 4. Creating an Informal Empire: Liberalism, Broadcasting, and the Maturity of American Empire (1945-1968) 5. Networking Neoliberalism: High Finance, Media Convergence, and the Crisis of American Empire (1968-1989) 6. Conclusion: America Overexposed? The Triumph of the American Empire and the Spectacle of Resistance (1989-2008)