Can you guess which IR theories influenced these 3 Disney movies

We’re gonna take a walk down memory lane in this #tbt to your most cherished childhood Disney movies. Little did you know that Disney movies and IR are deeply related.

Hover over each image below of your favourite Disney character to find out which IR theory they are influenced by!

1) Pocahontas

© Walt Disney Pictures

It’s pretty hard to miss the postcolonial vibes that course through the entire Pocahontas saga. First off, let’s take a moment to recall the 4-minute-long song entitled “Savages”. In case you’ve forgotten some of the most cringe-worthy lyrics, here’s a little reminder of the main chorus: “They're savages! Savages! Barely even human.” Just as postcolonial theory emphasizes, John Smith and his posse see the Native Americans as “savages” or, in other words, barbaric and uncivilized. The British see themselves as superior to the natives (i.e. the “Other”). And as the song goes on, matters only get worse: “Destroy their evil race until there's not a trace left.” This depicts white man’s burden to educate the “savages” or, worse yet, to destroy them entirely.

2) Little Mermaid

© Walt Disney Pictures

The Little Mermaid definitely takes a page out of the book of constructivism. Ariel desperately seeks to be part of the human world. Yet, she understands the human world only through socially constructed depictions of it. Her father tells her stories of what it’s like, and she fantasizes about it by collecting human artifacts (like spoons and “whozits and whatzits galore”).

Besides an emphasis on social construction, the Little Mermaid also takes on a constructivist lens through its focus on Ariel’s voice. Ariel serenades Prince Eric back to life after he almost drowns from falling overboard. To no surprise, Eric becomes fascinated not by her beautiful red hair but instead by her voice. Just like any good constructivist swoons over discourse, Prince Eric’s constructivist heart leads him to fall in love with Ariel namely because of her voice.

3) Lion King

© Walt Disney Pictures

Lion King is essentially the Game of Thrones of the Disney canon. It’s an epic battle over the throne of the beautiful and vast Pride Land. There is a definite realist lens to the story. We quickly learn never to trust anyone...even those closest to us, i.e. our evil uncle. Just as realism teaches us, self interest trumps relationships. Scar tricks Simba into going to the dangerous elephant graveyard out of self interest -- death to Simba means that Scar is the next heir to the throne. And, as if we didn’t learn the first time, Scar goes on to trick us again by luring Simba to the deathly gorge. Mufasa comes to the rescue and saves Simba, but self-interested Scar pushes Mufasa to his death.

Let’s not forget that Scar isn’t the only one motivated by power. In the end, Simba takes revenge on Scar in pushing him off Pride Rock too. This rather deadly Disney story shows how power in the Pride Land is a zero-sum game: you’re either the lion king or you’re not. With a little push off a cliff here and there, one lion loses power while the other lion gains power.

#movies #Constructivism #Postcolonialism #Realism