The centaur of the global arms: An in-depth analysis on how American films depict and legitimize the hegemonic position of the United States of America in the World

Date of Publication

2010

Document Type

Bachelor's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts in International Studies Major in American Studies

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

International Studies

Abstract/Summary

This study seeks to examine how American films depict and legitimize American hegemony. Images and dialogues of five films were analyzed in order to find out how three dominant American ideologies, namely liberty, equality and capitalism, were being portrayed in the films that were chosen for this study. One hundred respondents of different ages and social backgrounds were asked to answer a survey in order asses how movies influence their lives, why they support American films, why they think American films are very popular and what messages they get from American movies. Majority of the respondents think that movies influence their lives by being able to portray Americas cultural characteristics and ideologies as being the norm or the most accepted characteristics and ideologies. Hegemony cannot be maintained by coercion alone. It can only be sustained by the use of the combination of coercion, which is military and economic strengths, and consent, which is the means by which a dominant state is able to persuade other subordinate states that their value systems and culture should be imitated.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Accession Number

CDTU019133

Shelf Location

Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F, Henry Sy Sr. Hall

Physical Description

1 computer optical disc ; 4 3/4 in.

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