Dr Nick Robinson discusses US foreign policy and its reflection within popular videogames

Dr Nick Robinson, Associate Professor in Politics, discusses what military videogames can reveal about US foreign policy.

In an article entitled ‘What Call of Duty can tell us about US foreign policy’, Dr Robinson explains how videogame narratives reflect contemporary politics and warfare.

Dr Robinson suggests that the newest Call of Duty game, Advanced Warfare, and a number of other popular gaming series’, demonstrate the so-called phenomenon of American “exceptionalism” – that is, “the idea that the US is so uniquely vulnerable and threatened that its responses should not be constrained by the international laws that govern other states.”

He also highlights that videogames include other important reflections upon US foreign policy, such as themes of ‘the subversive military’ and ‘enemies within’.