Political Parallels in Captain America: Civil War
Captain America: Civil War is more than a superhero movie, it's a criticism of our government. One of the most harshly debated topics in politics is the expansion of power. Over the years, our central government has been expanding its powers, often at the consequence of individual freedoms. This raises an important question, to what extent should the federal government be allowed to expand its authority in the name of national security? There is no right or wrong in this debate, it's about whether you place more importance on your own personal liberties or government protection and security. I was inspired to write about our government after voting in my first election this last year. Seeing the political climate in a new light, and knowing that I now have the opportunity to make a difference in our government, has made me aware of some of the serious flaws in our government today.
The purpose of this blog series isn't to influence your political views, but to bring attention to the political messages hidden within movies, specifically, the ones in Captain America: Civil War. This film seeks to challenge the audience's perception of our government by exploring contrasting viewpoints on government control, its portrayal of loyalty and betrayal, and by relating to political climates now and in recent history. The film introduces audiences to this issue by showing Tony Stark's approval of government regulation versus Steve Rogers support of individual freedom, demonstrating the tough choices the characters have to make, like the Sokovia Accords and how they split the Avengers apart, and by drawing parallels to real-world grief over the 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attack.
