Theme parks,labor,and the Dark Lord: A political economic critique of the Walt Disney company's relationship with the City of Anaheim

Abstract

Monopoly power occurs when multiple entities work together to influence the price, output, and investment within an industry and to limit new competitors from entering the industry, even if there is increased market share and higher profits that can potentially be gained and shared with other competitors. This article analyzes how the Walt Disney Company has gained monopoly power within the City of Anaheim through strategic partnerships with powerful individuals who yield a tremendous amount of influence over the local community. The research cited in this article shows why Disney lobbied first in the mid-1990s to receive lucrative tax breaks from the City of Anaheim for their development projects and then later asked to have these same tax breaks removed in 2016. Ultimately, this article shows that Disney has successfully lobbied the City of Anaheim to pass legislation that is more beneficial to the Walt Disney Company than to the local residents. This research provides a valuable case study for municipalities who are interested in public–private partnerships with powerful capitalist interests, and it provides insight into how these relationships can impact the well-being of a local community.