Question #8

8) Watch the first part of Mouse Trapped 2010 and Mickey Mouse Monopoly, and explain USING SPECIFIC ELEMENTS FROM THE FILMS how they are good examples of the different approaches of political economy and cultural studies. Define each approach briefly, and CITE GROSSBERG'S ARTICLE IN YOUR RESPONSE (100-150 words)

Political economy is the distribution of wealth made up of consumption and production. Political economy relates to both of these videos, Mouse Trapped 2010 and Mickey Mouse Monopoly. In these videos we can see that there is an overarching power, (money) which dominants all of Disney. In Mouse Trapped 2010 we hear interviews of people who "love disney" but are not compensated fairly for their work. They talk about how they need government assistance, which is ironic in the fact that the Disney Corporation is one of the wealthiest and biggest in the world. This may be the case, buy the people who work on the lower tiers, can't survive off of their pay. Disney is clearly a monopoly as it controls and has power over not only their employees but the culture in general. As people continue to go to Disney and broaden their love for "fake" life, Disney will continue to gain power and political power over society and especially the working class people of Orlando. This video is a good example of political economy as it is showing Disney as a place revolving around political power and dominance (money) over society.

In Grossbergs article, "Cultural Studies vs. Political Economy: Is Anybody Else Bored With This Debate?" he argues the differences between cultural studies and political economy. Cultural studies concern the political nature of contemporary culture and also looks at the past issues and conflicts seen in society. Rather than focusing on money, cultural studies present ideas such as the notion that education and intellect can create social stability beyond economical means. Grossberg describes cultural studies, “First, because cultural studies ignores the institutions of cultural production, it celebrates popular culture and gives up oppositional roles; second, because cultural studies ignores economics, it is incapable of understanding the real structures of power, domination, and oppression in the contemporary world.” Here we can see the difference between cultural studies and political economy, by Grossberg saying that cultural studies doesn't understand the structures of power and domination, such as one which Disney creates. In Mickey Mouse Monopoly, we can see Disney not only influences people politically and economically but also culturally. At one point in the documentary a little girl asks her mom why dark people are always doing bad things. The connotation of race is seen in movies such as Beauty and the Beast, where the beast is dark. This is an example of cultural issues, of how even little kids understand the underlying portrayal of race shown in Disney movies. Disney has created a monopoly over not only the people who are directly influenced by Disney (workers) but also the culture (through Disney movies).