Encounter between Cultural Policymaking and “Culture Industry” and Transition from It

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Communications, University of Tehran

2 PhD Student (Communications Sciences), University of Tehran

Abstract

According to critical theory, particularly that of Theodor Adorno, “culture industry” is the mechanism of an exciting move from the harsh hardcore of power to its soft layers (permeability). Relying on Michel Foucault’s theory of power, mechanism of power shift and turn is towards hegemony. The coining of this concept by Adorno and his understanding of this concept is in line with the emergence of the discourse of cultural policy in the post-war era which tries to protect the realm of culture and arts from the harmful and undesirable impacts of commercialization by more involvement of the market. Descriptive-analytical method has been used based on an analysis of Policy Document of the Department of Cultural Policy Research and Development of European Council (1999). Attempts have been made in this article to study the encounter between cultural policymaking and critical problematic of culture industry. This issue is put forth through conceptual transition from culture industry to cultural industries and more recently creative industries in the context of dual cultural policies: democratization of culture and cultural democracy.