International Relations Theory and Research Methods Tutorial

Name and Surname: Otshepeng Seemise

Student Number: 1117243

Course code: INTR3025

Date: 08 March 2018

Tutor: Mmbatho

Assignment Question: "Using the movie Black Panther, examine the representation of

the African context (individual and/or state) versus the mainstream representation of
Africa in other platforms (Hollywood movies, foreign aid, international organizations,
humanitarian intervention, democracy and governance).

Introduction
Black Panther, the most recent entry into the Marvel cinematic universe, has been
greeted with the breathless anticipation that its arrival will change things. The movie
features the leader of a fictional African country (Wakanda), which has wealth and
technological advancement.  Using the movie as a source, this paper aims to examine
the representation of the African context of individuals and state versus the mainstream
representation of Africa in other platforms such as Hollywood movies, foreign aid,
international organizations, humanitarian intervention democracy and governance.

What is Post-colonial theory?

Postcolonial theory is a literary theory or critical approach that deals with literature
produced in countries that were once, or are now, colonies of other countries. 1 It may
also deal with literature written in or by citizens of colonizing countries that takes
colonies or their peoples as its subject matter. The theory is based around concepts of
otherness and resistance.2 Typically, the proponents of the theory examine the ways in
which writers from colonized countries attempt to articulate and even celebrate their
cultural identities and reclaim them from the colonizers. They also examine ways in
which the literature of the colonial powers is used to justify colonialism through the
perpetuation of images of the colonized as inferior. However, attempts at coming up
with a single definition of postcolonial theory have proved controversial, and some
writers have strongly critiqued the whole concept.

How the African context is portrayed in the movie as opposed to other forms of
representation from outsiders

Firstly. Wakanda, free from the negative consequences of colonial rule, has bountiful
resources, including the all-powerful vibranium which is used to build indestructible
weapons. Further, Wakanda maintain their traditions yet they are technologically
innovative in ways that ensure the prosperity and survival of the people. This
“Afrofuturistic” portrayal constitutes the first point of interest as it rebuts the all too
common Hollywood portrayal of African nations as backward, poor and mismanaged. 3

1
Homi K. Bhabba, 1988, "The Commitment to Theory", new formations NUMBER 5 SUMMER.
2
Stuart Hall, 'Blue election, election blues', Marxism Today (July 1987), 30-5
3
Angela Mudukuti, 2018, Black Panther portrays Africa in a good light
https://www.iol.co.za/news/opinion/black-panther-portrays-africa-in-a-good-light-13543164 (accessed on 9
march 2018).
Secondly, the Black Panther movie creates a unique opportunity for people of colour to
see a black major comic book superhero come to life on the big screen. This is especially
important for young black people who are often marginalized and stereotyped in films.
The Black Panther movie also inspires interest in science, technology and Africa for
African American youth. The strong characters portrayed in the Black Panther movie
are also an inspiration for black people as it offers positive role models rather than
negative and unrealistic images of Africa.

Thirdly, Wakanda’s massive investment in technology gives the fictional country a clear
comparative advantage, which, in turn, makes the potential benefits of international
trade quite high. Its monopoly on vibranium gives Wakanda another one. The high
quality of its governance suggests that Wakanda would also be able to manage the
expected revenues from trade for current and future generations of Wakandans.
Moreover, if vibranium can play the role the steam engine played during the Industrial
Revolution of the 19th century, Wakanda could be the catalyst for a surge in global
trade; sending goods using those technologically advanced flying engines would
drastically lower costs and facilitate the movement of goods. 4

Lastly, Wakanda, has wisely made use of the metal to enhance technology and economic
development for its people. In addition, Wakanda’s approach to utilizing vibranium
creates considerable and widely shared benefits to society. Moreover, use of vibranium
is key to helping Wakanda hide from the rest of the world in order to avoid the
appropriation of the valuable resource. Because of its self-isolation, Wakanda appears
to have an economic model where it does not trade its natural resource with the rest of
the world. It lives in autarky and invests heavily in technology. In contrast, resource-
rich African countries depend heavily on their exports of natural resources. For
example, in 2015, mineral exports made up more than 90 percent of exports
in Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, and Angola.5 In addition, the high dependence on oil
exports in certain African countries has led to misaligned exchange rates, the decline of
non-resource sectors, political authoritarianism, conflict, and economic inequality. 6 

Conclusion
4
Mariama Sow and Amadou Sy, 2018, Lessons from Marvel’s Black Panther: Natural resource management
and increased openness in Africa https://www.brookings.edu/blog/africa-in-focus/2018/02/23/ (accessed on 8
March 2018).
5
Ibid.
6
Ibid.
Black Panther can pave the way for an increased number of movies painting Africa in a
positive light. In the meantime, fictional Wakanda provides an image of the prosperity
and technological advancement, which awaits properly managed resource-rich
countries. Hollywood has made a superhero blockbuster film that will without a doubt
change the perception of Africa for the better.