The (non)democratic superhero? : A study of the reproduction of democratic society in character narratives in superhero films.

Abstract: This study uses political philosophy to understand how democracy is communicated as transmutating or transitioning in superhero narratives. The study combines a conflict-based conceptualisation of democracy with Anthony Giddens’ structuration theory to discuss the characters’ actions in relation to their respective society. The analysis is conducted through a narrative analysis, using the hero’s journey as a tool to define the material from the narratives of a hero, a villain, a hero-turned-villain, a villain-turned-hero, and an antihero.  The analysis shows that spaces can be created within a democracy where other political ideals are produced, called pockets of alternate ideals. Also, the conditions of the characters’ actions influence how they can emerge as heroes or villains, which in turn influence how the characters produce or reproduce their societies. The discussion finds that the superhero narratives suggest that a strong democratic society needs a common enemy to fight, as the focus on the outside enemy rallies the people to mitigate the conflicts within society. To conclude, the point of democracy is that the people have the power, meaning that they have the responsibility to be active citizens who continue to reproduce democracy, as portrayed by the hero narrative.