Bilton, Chris (1997) Towards cultural democracy : contradiction and crisis in British and U.S. cultural policy 1870-1990. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This study examines the theoretical contradictions of 'cultural democracy' in
Britain and the United States. Cultural democracy here refers to the claim
that community participation in cultural activities (artistic production and
consumption) leads to participation in a democratic society. In Britain
'cultural democracy' has been associated especially with the 'community arts'
movement of the 1970s and 1980s.
Using Gramsci's theory of 'hegemony' as a framework for analysis, I will
argue that the theoretical inconsistencies of 'cultural democracy' in the 1970s
and 1980s can be traced back to a fundamental contradiction in British and
U.S. cultural policy, between 'materialist' and 'idealist' conceptions of
culture. This contradiction has resulted in moments of crisis in British and
U.S. cultural policy, followed by periods of 'unstable equilibrium'. In
support of this argument I will focus on four of these moments of
contradiction and crisis. First I will develop my hypothetical model of
contradiction, crisis and equilibrium in relation to the British community arts
movement in the 1970s and 1980s. Then I will apply this model to three
successive 'moments of crisis' in British and U.S. cultural policy: the
'civilising mission' of the late nineteenth century public cultural institutions
in Britain and the U.S., particularly the settlement house; the U.S. federal
arts projects of the 1930s; dilemmas of access and accountability in recent
media policy. I will conclude by exploring some alternative theoretical
formulations of the relationship between 'culture' and 'community' and their
possible application to cultural policy and cultural democracy.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CB History of civilization
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Great Britain -- Cultural policy, United States -- Cultural policy, Social participation -- Great Britain, Social participation -- United States, Community arts projects -- Great Britain, Community arts projects -- United States
Official Date:	October 1997
Dates:	Date Event October 1997 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Theatre Studies
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Bennett, Oliver
Sponsors:	University of Warwick
Extent:	ix, 316 leaves
Language:	eng

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