Dr. Strangelove Essay
Relating Dr. Strangelove to International Politics As a class last week we watched a comedic satire on the context of mutual assured destruction between the U.S/Soviet Union during the Cold War. The movie is titled “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb,” by Stanley Kubrick. Throughout the film there are many situations in which the topics we have been studying in world politics are discussed in a comedic yet thought provoking way. The two most prevalent issues I saw displayed were the issues of information asymmetries/incomplete information, and the overwhelming presence of patriotism/nationalism themes displayed by the film to create a rally effect. I will discuss how these issues arose in the film and how they relate to international relations. There are many situations that arise in the film that incorporate a failure to communicate information. This actually seems to be the prevailing idea of the film. Information asymmetries occur when one side has more information than the other, giving more influencing power to the information holder. The first case involving information asymmetry occurs early in the film when General Ripper radios his orders to the bombers to drop hydrogen bombs on Russia (unconstitutionally), using a discrete three letter prefix that only he knows. He also requires all radios be confiscated, as they might be used to “issue propaganda” from the enemy. In doing this Ripper has created an information asymmetry in which he holds all the power. Even if the president wanted to call off the deadly attack, which in the film he does, it would be impossible with no way to contact Ripper or knowledge of the radio code. The president is then forced to contact the Russian Premiere to resolve this case of information asymmetry peacefully, and without mutual destruction. But the problem of incomplete information is only beginning. The president contacts the Russian premiere with plans to negotiate a peaceful solution to the mutually assured destruction of the US and Russia. Only to find out that the Russian Premiere has been withholding information from them regarding a “doomsday machine.” The Premiere explains this machine was built in order to deter a nuclear attack, because if attacked by hydrogen bombs, the doomsday machine would explode with enough radioactive debris to end life on earth. This is a massive communications blunder, had the premiere announced the existence of the doomsday machine, destruction could have been completely avoided. The US would have never had plans in place like the ones Ripper enacted if they had known the capability of the Russians. Dr. Strangelove jokingly sums this up by adding, “..the whole point of the doomsday machine is lost if you keep it a secret. Why didn’t you tell the world?” This bit of incomplete information is what ultimately led to the entire problem in the film. Switching gears now, I would like to discuss the overwhelming presence of nationalism/patriotism or really effect displayed throughout the film. The presence of these elements gave it a very propagandist feel in my opinion. The American ideal of being a “mixing bowl” but strongly united is ever apparent when introduced to the B-52 crew. The racial diversity of the plane is reminiscent of the US: cowboy pilot, Jewish radio operator, and black bombardier. Their unity and mission are apparent when the pilot rallies the crew on the plane, declaring all would be in line for medals upon returning no matter their color or creed. The soldiers also complete their mission successfully despite facing many difficult obstacles along the way. In contrast to this, the prejudices of the Russians are extremely abundant in the film. With instances of many high ranking US officials referring to them as a“..Commie has no regard for human life, not even his own” and “..bunch of ignorant peons.” Not to mention when the president calls the Premiere of Russia he has to treat him like a child; the Premiere not knowing the number to the Peoples Air Defense Headquarters and asking him to turn his music down repeatedly. All of these situations in the film portray a strong effect of Nationalism that makes the people of the US rally-around-the-flag. Making the American ideals of life and society seem superior to those of the Russians/Soviet Union in the movie. With these themes being very obvious and prevalent in the film it comes off as a form of propaganda to induce the rally effect. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the film. It was nice to see the major topics in world politics like incomplete information/information asymmetries and rally effect displayed in a comedic satire. The directors did a very good job conveying how incomplete information can affect both parties adversely as well as how information asymmetries can occur. They also effectively create a rally effect with the film by portraying overwhelming effects of patriotism and nationalism. While the topics in this film are displayed in a very rash and unlikely manor, there is no better way to get the message of anti-war and mutual assured destruction across.