e-IR is proud to announce the launch of its new series of articles “Screening Global Politics”. The series will function as a rolling series, delving into various pop culture phenomena and their implications on world affairs. In this installment, we will be examining the theories of international politics through the lens of zombies.
A liberal institutionalist would argue that zombies represent a classic externality problem of dying and then existing in an undead state and trying to cause chaos and destruction in their wake. This perspective emphasizes the need for global cooperation and coordination to address such threats that transcend borders.
This analysis will consider the fictional scenario of what would happen if zombies appeared specifically in Latin America. How would regional organizations like the OAS respond? What role would the United States play in containing the outbreak? These questions shed light on the complexities of international relations in the face of a zombie apocalypse.
The prevalent theories of zombies all in some way address the question of crisis as the new normative condition. The zombie is that which disrupts the status quo and forces societies to adapt and change in response. This mirrors real-world crises and conflicts that challenge the stability of the international system.
As we delve deeper into the relationship between zombies and international politics, it becomes clear that these undead creatures serve as a metaphor for various global issues. From migration and refugee crises to infectious diseases and terrorism, zombies encapsulate the fears and uncertainties of our interconnected world.
Drawing parallels between the actions of zombies and state actors, we can see how power dynamics and strategies of survival play out on both fictional and real-world stages. Just as survivors must navigate alliances and conflicts to survive a zombie outbreak, countries must navigate alliances and conflicts to navigate international politics.
This article is an excerpt from E-IR's Edited Collection, Popular Culture and World Politics. View all of E-IR's Publications here. Explore how popular culture influences and reflects the complexities of global politics, offering new insights and perspectives on familiar issues.
In conclusion, the study of zombies in the context of international politics offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the global community. By analyzing the behavior of zombies and survivors, we can gain valuable insights into conflict resolution, cooperation, and the dynamics of power in the international arena.
