The History and Politics of Star Wars: Death Stars and Democracy

This book provides a comprehensive examination of the portrayal and representation of real-world history and politics in the Star Wars franchise. It explores key themes such as fascism, democracy, warfare, morality, and race, highlighting the impacts of contemporary events on the galaxy far, far away. It is useful for scholars and students of transmedia studies, science fiction, cultural studies, and world history and politics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 11 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book is a groundbreaking exploration of the Star Wars franchise, delving into its portrayal and representation of real-world history and politics. Drawing on a diverse range of sources, including films, published interviews with directors and actors, novels, comics, and computer games, it offers a comprehensive analysis of how historical and contemporary events have been repurposed within the Star Wars universe. The book focuses on key themes such as fascism and the Galactic Empire, the failures of democracy, the portrayal of warfare, the morality of the Jedi, and the representations of sex, gender, and race. Through these themes, the study highlights the profound impact of events like the fall of the Soviet Union, the War on Terror, and the failures of the United Nations on the fictional galaxy far, far away. By analyzing and understanding these events and their portrayal within Star Wars, the book demonstrates how the franchise serves as a powerful medium for addressing wider contemporary events and issues.

The History and Politics of Star Wars is an invaluable resource for upper-level undergraduates, postgraduates, and scholars of various disciplines, including transmedia studies, science fiction, cultural studies, and world history and politics in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. It provides a deep understanding of the franchise's cultural significance and its ability to engage with and comment on important social and political themes. Whether you are a fan of Star Wars or a scholar interested in the intersection of popular culture and politics, this book offers a wealth of insights and perspectives that will enrich your understanding of the world.

Weight: 630g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138503526