{"product_id":"batman-saves-the-congo","title":"Batman Saves the Congo","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow celebrity strategic partnerships are disrupting humanitarian space\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Can a celebrity be a “disrupter,” promoting strategic partnerships to bring new ideas and funding to revitalize the development field-or are celebrities just charismatic ambassadors for big business? Examining the role of the rich and famous in development and humanitarianism, \u003ci\u003eBatman Saves the Congo\u003c\/i\u003e argues that celebrities do both, and that understanding why and how yields insight into the realities of neoliberal development. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 2010, entertainer Ben Affleck, known for his superhero performance as Batman, launched the Eastern Congo Initiative to bring a new approach to the region’s development. This case study is central to \u003ci\u003eBatman Saves the Congo\u003c\/i\u003e. Affleck’s organization operates with special access, diversified funding, and significant support of elites within political, philanthropic, development, and humanitarian circuits. This sets it apart from other development organizations. With his convening power, Affleck has built partnerships with those inside and outside development, staking bipartisan political ground that is neither charity nor aid but “good business.” Such visible and recognizable celebrity humanitarians are occupying the public domain yet not engaging meaningfully with any public, argues \u003ci\u003eBatman Saves the Congo\u003c\/i\u003e. They are an unruly bunch of new players in development who amplify business solutions. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs elite political participants, celebrities shape development practices through strategic partnerships that are both an innovative way to raise awareness and funding for neglected causes and a troubling trend of unaccountable elite leadership in North–South relations. \u003ci\u003eBatman Saves the Congo\u003c\/i\u003e helps illuminate the power of celebritized business solutions and the development contexts they create. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"University of Minnesota Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54220731253080,"sku":"9781517907594","price":26.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/1295\/4195\/files\/9781517907594.jpg?v=1776911415","url":"https:\/\/agendabookshop.com\/products\/batman-saves-the-congo","provider":"Agenda Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}