Political Connection #3:
Sokovia Accords
Introduction
Captain America: Civil War
Short Movie Background
In Civil War, Steve Rogers led the Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. However, after many incidents where the Avenger's efforts result in major collateral damage, The government wishes to enacts a system of accountability, in which the government will oversee the team. Stark and Thaddeus Ross confront the Avengers, and Ross explains that due to the events in New York, Washington D.C, Sokovia, and most recently Lagos, the United Nations decided the Avengers can not be a private organization. It was decided that the Avengers must sign the Sokovia Accords which was approved by 117 countries. The Sokovia Accords divides the Avengers in half: those who agree to sign, and those who refuse. Steve Rogers, Captain America, led one group with the desire to remain free to help humanity without government interference. The other side was surprisingly led by Tony Stark and his decision to support accountability and government oversight.
Sokovia Accords
The Sokovia Accords legal documents made to limit and control the activity of superheroes, or enhanced individuals. The enhanced individuals include the government agencies like S.H.I.E.L.D, and private organizations like the Avengers. The Accords are a legal solution to international concerns regarding unauthorized actions of the Avengers, and the consequences that arise from them.
Use of a Treaties
In Captain America: Civil War and Hollywood
Captain America: Civil War uses a treaty as a plot device. The comics do not have the Sokovia Accords or international politics. Instead it uses a US federal law, the Superhumans Registration Act. However, The Accords had little deviation from the Superhumans Registration Act, which makes an odd treaty, combining U.S law and international politicking.
The Sokovia Accords count as treaty. it is an agreement decided between states and governed by international law. In addition, although it does the opposite, it aims to generate peace between the Avengers and the government, while also preventing unnecessary damage to the world. Similar to international criminal law, the Accords aim to put in place individual criminal responsibility.
By using a treaty as a plot device emphasizes that treaties are viewed by the public as a key tool in problem solving. Jean d'Aspremont, an author, legal theorists, and international lawyer, highlights the usefulness of using a treaty as a symbol. The Sokovia Accords are not the only example of treaties used in fiction. Many treaties in fiction are peace treaties, mirroring most historical treaties, such as the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Paris. An example of a fictional peace treaty is the The Khitomer Accords, a treaty in Star Trek between the Klingon Empire and the United Federation of Planets.
Connection to 9/11
Liberty Vs. Security
In his book, A Philosopher Reads Marvel Comics’ ‘Civil War’: Exploring the Moral Judgment of Captain America, Iron Man, and Spider-Man, he talks about the urgency of liberty and security that still exists, especially in Marvel. Marvel’s Civil War comic series and movie is story symbolizing September 11, 2001. The fight between Captain America and Iron man represents the"battle of ideals" in Patriot Act-era, a time when citizens were divided over the stern government interference meant to strengthen national security. The movie pins liberty (Captain America) and security (Iron Man) against each other.
The Patriot Act weakens personal freedom in attempt to increase security. The Movie demonstrates the differing opinions of if the trade is worth it. One of the main conditions of the act is that it is easier for the government to obtain records of citizens' activities. Especially since computers create more records, the Patriot Act lets the FBI force everyone to give over all records.
The Problem:
The movie should represent trying to balance liberty and security, because the world can not have one and not the other. Captain America and Iron Man should be trying to figure out a solution instead of fighting, but then again, if that happened there would be no movie. Regardless, this movie forces people to pick a side, when in reality people need to acknowledge that both are equally important.