John Street, Sanna Inthorn, and Martin Scott
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780719085383
- eISBN:
- 9781781706121
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9780719085383.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
The relationship between politics and popular culture is often seen to take one of two forms. Either popular culture is seen to disengage or pacify citizens; or it is portrayed as a source of ...
More
The relationship between politics and popular culture is often seen to take one of two forms. Either popular culture is seen to disengage or pacify citizens; or it is portrayed as a source of political knowledge and expression. Such claims are rarely subjected to detailed scrutiny. From Entertainment to Citizenship is an attempt to make up this deficit by examining carefully how popular culture’s politics is understood and used. Focusing on the lives and experiences of 17-18 year olds in the UK, it explores the extent to which these young people use popular culture to think about and engage with politics. The book compares the political role of different forms of popular culture (video games, music and entertainment television), and it considers different dimensions of the relationship. It looks at the phenomenon of the ‘celebrity politician’, at popular culture as a source of knowledge about the ‘real world’ and at the group identities forged around the pleasures of music, TV and video games. We conclude that popular culture is an important source of knowledge about the world, that it helps forge identities and the interests associated with them, and it gives form to the evaluations of power and its exercise. Rarely, though, does this interplay of politics and popular culture happen in neat or straightforward ways.Less
The relationship between politics and popular culture is often seen to take one of two forms. Either popular culture is seen to disengage or pacify citizens; or it is portrayed as a source of political knowledge and expression. Such claims are rarely subjected to detailed scrutiny. From Entertainment to Citizenship is an attempt to make up this deficit by examining carefully how popular culture’s politics is understood and used. Focusing on the lives and experiences of 17-18 year olds in the UK, it explores the extent to which these young people use popular culture to think about and engage with politics. The book compares the political role of different forms of popular culture (video games, music and entertainment television), and it considers different dimensions of the relationship. It looks at the phenomenon of the ‘celebrity politician’, at popular culture as a source of knowledge about the ‘real world’ and at the group identities forged around the pleasures of music, TV and video games. We conclude that popular culture is an important source of knowledge about the world, that it helps forge identities and the interests associated with them, and it gives form to the evaluations of power and its exercise. Rarely, though, does this interplay of politics and popular culture happen in neat or straightforward ways.
John Street, Sanna Inthorn, and Martin Scott
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780719085383
- eISBN:
- 9781781706121
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9780719085383.003.0005
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
This chapter examines the different ways in which popular culture is understood to engage with politics. We refer to these as ‘points of engagement’. These begin with the idea that films, soaps and ...
More
This chapter examines the different ways in which popular culture is understood to engage with politics. We refer to these as ‘points of engagement’. These begin with the idea that films, soaps and the like ‘inform’ us about, or seek to represent, a ‘real’ world. The second point of engagement is that of creating affinities, which refers to how popular culture can create an imagined community. The third point of engagement is that in which popular culture is used to pass judgement on, and express feelings about, a ‘real world’ or the actions of those who inhabit it. These points of engagement are then identified in different cultural forms (ie television, music and video games.Less
This chapter examines the different ways in which popular culture is understood to engage with politics. We refer to these as ‘points of engagement’. These begin with the idea that films, soaps and the like ‘inform’ us about, or seek to represent, a ‘real’ world. The second point of engagement is that of creating affinities, which refers to how popular culture can create an imagined community. The third point of engagement is that in which popular culture is used to pass judgement on, and express feelings about, a ‘real world’ or the actions of those who inhabit it. These points of engagement are then identified in different cultural forms (ie television, music and video games.
John Bynner and Walter Heinz
- Published in print:
- 2021
- Published Online:
- September 2021
- ISBN:
- 9781447351467
- eISBN:
- 9781447351511
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447351467.001.0001
- Subject:
- Sociology, Science, Technology and Environment
Youth Prospects in the Digital Society In an age when the next generation have worse prospects than their parents, this book appraises the challenges that young people face resulting from the ...
More
Youth Prospects in the Digital Society In an age when the next generation have worse prospects than their parents, this book appraises the challenges that young people face resulting from the instability and uncertainty of their lives. Based on young people’s experience of education, training, employment, family life and political participation in England and Germany, the book examines the impact of digitalisation on identity in the context of rising inequality. The focus is on the effects of technological transformation, fragile European Union institutions, growing nationalism and mental and economic stress arising from the Covid-19 pandemic on youth transitions and the ever-present shadow of climate change. Such an uncertain context presents systemic challenge for the forms and effectiveness of youth policy in the different national contexts as addressed in each of the chapters that follows. Youth policy is shaped by such key issues as the future of vocational education and training in the digital society, job creation, family, political engagement and community life, the impact of social media and universal connectivity. The book argues that government should be under an obligation to ensure that every young person has access to the technical, economic, and educational resources needed to shape their personal transition to adulthood and acquire the capability needed to participate fully in the digital society.Less
Youth Prospects in the Digital Society In an age when the next generation have worse prospects than their parents, this book appraises the challenges that young people face resulting from the instability and uncertainty of their lives. Based on young people’s experience of education, training, employment, family life and political participation in England and Germany, the book examines the impact of digitalisation on identity in the context of rising inequality. The focus is on the effects of technological transformation, fragile European Union institutions, growing nationalism and mental and economic stress arising from the Covid-19 pandemic on youth transitions and the ever-present shadow of climate change. Such an uncertain context presents systemic challenge for the forms and effectiveness of youth policy in the different national contexts as addressed in each of the chapters that follows. Youth policy is shaped by such key issues as the future of vocational education and training in the digital society, job creation, family, political engagement and community life, the impact of social media and universal connectivity. The book argues that government should be under an obligation to ensure that every young person has access to the technical, economic, and educational resources needed to shape their personal transition to adulthood and acquire the capability needed to participate fully in the digital society.
Deborah L. Wheeler
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- January 2018
- ISBN:
- 9781474422550
- eISBN:
- 9781474435048
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9781474422550.003.0005
- Subject:
- Political Science, Middle Eastern Politics
In Chapter 4, data collected through ethnographic research and structured interviews are used to argue that new media tools when used, can profoundly alter social and political practices in Kuwait. ...
More
In Chapter 4, data collected through ethnographic research and structured interviews are used to argue that new media tools when used, can profoundly alter social and political practices in Kuwait. Internet use removes inhibitions, gives the public a voice, encourages people to demand access to current, transparent news and information, and enables citizens to become more engaged and active in the world. In the words of one 55 year old female Kuwaiti participant, the Internet “opens the eyes of the younger generation and because of this, they find more freedom to exercise and they can compare freedom in their countries to that in other countries” (Interview, July 2009, Kuwait City). Explanations for the increasingly volatile political and social environment in Kuwait are explored in light of new media use. The persistence of patriarchy in spite of enhanced civic engagement reveals the puzzling nature of oppositional compliance in the emirate.Less
In Chapter 4, data collected through ethnographic research and structured interviews are used to argue that new media tools when used, can profoundly alter social and political practices in Kuwait. Internet use removes inhibitions, gives the public a voice, encourages people to demand access to current, transparent news and information, and enables citizens to become more engaged and active in the world. In the words of one 55 year old female Kuwaiti participant, the Internet “opens the eyes of the younger generation and because of this, they find more freedom to exercise and they can compare freedom in their countries to that in other countries” (Interview, July 2009, Kuwait City). Explanations for the increasingly volatile political and social environment in Kuwait are explored in light of new media use. The persistence of patriarchy in spite of enhanced civic engagement reveals the puzzling nature of oppositional compliance in the emirate.
Stephanie Hankey and Marek Tuszynski
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- May 2017
- ISBN:
- 9781526107213
- eISBN:
- 9781526120984
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9781526107213.003.0013
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, Media Studies
This chapter looks at how artists and activists are utilising still and moving images combined with simple digital technologies to investigate political conflicts. Often working with low-tech ...
More
This chapter looks at how artists and activists are utilising still and moving images combined with simple digital technologies to investigate political conflicts. Often working with low-tech solutions they explore, document and present complex issues through images that challenge our existing views and provoke new ways of thinking. They present views from above, afar and beyond, developing visual investigations that present slices into unknown worlds and undocumented practices. The images do not solve problems, but open new questions, expanding new possibilities for image activism and political engagement.Less
This chapter looks at how artists and activists are utilising still and moving images combined with simple digital technologies to investigate political conflicts. Often working with low-tech solutions they explore, document and present complex issues through images that challenge our existing views and provoke new ways of thinking. They present views from above, afar and beyond, developing visual investigations that present slices into unknown worlds and undocumented practices. The images do not solve problems, but open new questions, expanding new possibilities for image activism and political engagement.
