Politics in Fictional Entertainment: An Empirical Classification of Movies and TV Series

Authors

  • Christiane Eilders Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf
  • Cordula Nitsch Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf

Keywords:

fictional entertainment, TV series, movies, classification, political intensity, degree of realism

Abstract

This article presents conceptual considerations on the classification of TV series and movies according to their political references and introduces an empirical approach for measuring the constituent features. We argue that political representations in fiction vary along two dimensions: political intensity and degree of realism. These dimensions encompass four indicators relating to characters, places, themes, and time. The indicators were coded for a sample of 98 TV series and 114 movies. Cluster analyses showed four clusters of TV series and six clusters of movies. Nonpolitical fiction, thrillers, and fantasy were central types in both TV series and movies. Movies, however, stand out through a greater diversity and a focus on the past that is reflected in three additional types. Based on the identification of different types of movies and TV series, three directions for theory building are suggested.

Author Biographies

Christiane Eilders, Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf

Christiane Eilders (PhD, University of Munich) is Professor at the Institute of Social Sciences, University of Duesseldorf, Germany. Her research focuses on political communication and public spheres. Current projects deal with the spiral of silence online and cultivation.

Cordula Nitsch, Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf

Cordula Nitsch (PhD, University of Augsburg) is research associate at the Institute of Social Sciences, University of Duesseldorf, Germany. Her research focuses on political communication, fictional and non-fictional entertainment, and media effects.

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Published

2015-05-14

Issue

Vol. 9 (2015)

Section

Articles

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