KS101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: F. R. Leavis, Mass Society, Liberal Democracy
Document Summary
Culture as normal -> working class (ordinary, everyday people) Mass culture theory & development of cultural studies. Materialism effecting our lower classes -> social disintegration: commercial values > social values. Popular culture produced by companies mass industrial techniques marketed for a mass audience of consumers: commercialization of culture. Where does pop culture come from? (also the role of pop-culture?) 20"s and 30"s through propaganda, radio, television. Fears of mass society -> transmit nazi ideology: liberal democracies are also mass society. Shift from hand crafted and agricultural goods -> change in society: urbanization. Changed in social structures completely: atomization ways. Society that is separated from each other and cant interact in meaningful. Still relevant today: decrease in taste -liberal democracy. All cultural beliefs and values are valid -> even if it is not elite: culture is now too bland to please everyone. Threat to high art -> opera, ballet etc. Mass culture broke down high culture and folk culture.