I particularly enjoyed Black Panther, as behind all the Marvel cinematic spectacles, foreign policy questions were at the center of the film’s plot. To sum up: Wakanda is a technologically sophisticated country that has pursued a grand strategy of isolationism. It purposefully shields knowledge about its power and capabilities from the outside world, exploiting stereotypes and prejudices about sub-Saharan Africa to sustain its subterfuge. At the start of the film, many of Wakanda’s power brokers are fine with this, though some have their doubts.

By the end, T’Challa enacts a new policy of openness and engagement with the rest of the world. Whether Wakandan society could handle the stresses of economic openness would be an open question. The international system, however, would probably welcome this shift. It is possible that, with quality leadership, Wakanda could pull off such a shift in its grand strategy.

I found this relation to current social issues on immigration appealing as I was watched the movie. Having immigrant parents myself, it was interesting to see the concept of anti-immigration being portrayed on screen.