Unit 2: International Security and Superheroes

Think about the last superhero movie or show you watched—something like The Avengers, Black Panther, or even Batman. Believe it or not, these films and shows can actually help you better understand some big ideas in international security. The power dynamics between heroes and villains? They’re a lot like the power struggles between countries, where superpowers in the movie can represent dominant nations or alliances in the real world. When you see epic battles for control or survival, you’re actually seeing parallels to real-world issues like state sovereignty, military interventions, and global security threats.

These movies also tackle themes like terrorism and other transnational threats, with villains using fear and chaos to destabilize societies. That’s similar to how non-state actors, like terrorist organizations, operate in reality. Superhero films make these big, complex topics easier to grasp because you can see them play out in front of you. It’s a more engaging way to start thinking critically about power, conflict, and security—plus, it’s a lot more fun!