Work & Academics

Globalization and Transnational Social Movements

Introduction

Disneyland. I think that many of us have been there at some point in our lives. The wonderfully entertaining characters from our television screens come to life in front of us. Incredible rides swish us through space, seeming to defy gravity. Cotton candy, hot-dogs, soda pop, music, clothing, family entertainment…. I think that it is almost safe to say that this place has it all.

At least it has always seemed to want it all. As far back as the creation of Disney, there have been parodies concerning Disney’s desire to have it all. Al Capp, in his humorous hillbilly comic strip “Lil Abner,” commented in the early years of Disney’s attempt to do the impossible: bring cartoon characters to life. One of these characters was a homely pig, of which there was only one live one left in existence. In his desperate attempt to maximize his profits by exploiting the pig ( “Just think how inexpensive it would be to keep the pig!” says Mr. Yapp, the Walt parody, in one of the panels), Mr. Yapp did all he could to steal the pig from its owners—even if this meant tidily “disposing” of them.

(Continued)