Television’s Second Golden Age: Politics and International Relations in the Era of HBO and Streaming TV
examines the foremost series in the Second Golden Age of Television (1999-present), in terms of the political themes, theories, and issues expressed in major television genres. By using
The Sopranos
,
Boardwalk Empire
The Wire
Breaking Bad
Mad Men
House of Cards
Battlestar Galactica
, and
Game of Thrones
. Joel R. Campbell explains the nature of the Second Golden Age. He clarifies how the rise of quality television through premium cable television channels and later streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon have made it possible for television properties with deeper drama, long story arcs, and concentration on political and social issues. Each chapter analyzes a specific television series that aired or streamed since 1999, in terms constructivist political theory.