Abstract

Chantal Mouffe’s democratic theory is based on the idea that politics is about the struggle between incompatible political projects. The central concepts of the theory are antagonism—a constant potential for conflict—and hegemony—a political order that is established through power but can always be changed. This chapter uses the film Animal Farm, based on the novel of the same name by George Orwell, to illustrate these concepts. Firstly, with the help of individual scenes, it shows how they can be used as instruments of analysis when dealing with political challenges. Secondly, it uses the political references in Animal Farm and the political context of the production of the film to highlight the relevance of the concepts in a critical approach to the medium of film.