ABSTRACT
For many writers, the Disney theme parks are panegyrics to capitalism. Some manifestations of this connection will be examined in the present chapter by drawing out a few themes, which are themselves highly interconnected. The three themes which form the framework for this chapter are: corporatism-the glorification of the corporation; technological progress-faith in the capacity of advanced technology to improve our lot, a theme that links with some of the issues raised in the previous chapter; and consumerism-the centrality of the consumer and consumer goods to images and practices within the parks. These three themes interweave considerably. Some of the ways in which overlaps arise will be explored, but it should be appreciated that these are not discrete motifs.
