Reflections on cultural policy : past, present and future : edited by Evan Alderson, Robin Blaser and Harold Coward

This book looks at the roles various world views have played in generating cultural policies at various times in Western history. Evan Alderson’s introduction places the work within its social, political and historical framework. Robin Blaser addresses the problem of how we can begin to locate a responsible cultural position at the present time. The volume’s historical progression begins with John Humphrey looking at the relation of arts and state in Imperial Rome. Haijo Westra focusses on the relation of language and culture in the medieval world. Jonathan Bordo examines the emergence of the individually framed picture in the Renaissance. Steven Cole examines the artistic autonomy of English Romanticism. Hazard Adams outlines a conception of cultural policy through William Blake. Cultural policy is brought closer to the Canadian context with Gordon Fearn’s discussion of communications policy in Canada. Anthony Welch takes up the process of re-comprehending culture within the revolution of communications by examining revolutionary and pre-revolutionary Iran. The two final essays take up the challenge of positing the hope of the post-modern. Barry Cooper begins his examination of the relevant part of post-modernism in the sixth century A.D. Robert Kroetsch sees only a longing for order that must be abandoned so that we may measure the depth of our uncertainties and learn to converse across them. Robin Blaser reminds us in his “Afterthoughts” that much of our current unease stems, not from too many differences, but from too few. This volume speaks in a single voice both to those interested in the pragmatics of current cultural policy and to those whose primary allegiance is to the life of the imagination. It is not just a scholarly exercise, but also a call for action — to a more comprehensive and informed engagement with our present cultural condition.

This book looks at the roles various world views have played in generating cultural policies at various times in Western history.

Evan Alderson's introduction places the work within its social, political and historical framework. Robin Blaser addresses the problem of how we can begin to locate a responsible cultural position at the present time. The volume's historical progression begins with John Humphrey looking at the relation of arts and state in Imperial Rome. Haijo Westra focusses on the relation of language and culture in the medieval world. Jonathan Bordo examines the emergence of the individually framed picture in the Renaissance. Steven Cole examines the artistic autonomy of English Romanticism. Hazard Adams outlines a conception of cultural policy through William Blake. Cultural policy is brought closer to the Canadian context with Gordon Fearn's discussion of communications policy in Canada. Anthony Welch takes up the process of re-comprehending culture within the revolution of communications by examining revolutionary and pre-revolutionary Iran.

The two final essays take up the challenge of positing the hope of the post-modern. Barry Cooper begins his examination of the relevant part of post-modernism in the sixth century A.D. Robert Kroetsch sees only a longing for order that must be abandoned so that we may measure the depth of our uncertainties and learn to converse across them. Robin Blaser reminds us in his Afterthoughts that much of our current unease stems, not from too many differences, but from too few.

This volume speaks in a single voice both to those interested in the pragmatics of current cultural policy and to those whose primary allegiance is to the life of the imagination. It is not just a scholarly exercise, but also a call for action - to a more comprehensive and informed engagement with our present cultural condition.

Contents 6 Foreword 8 About the Authors 10 Introduction 14 1. The Recovery of the Public World 30 PART I: Classical, Medieval, and Renaissance Worldviews and Cultural Policies 52 2. Culture and Empire: Patronage and Propaganda in the Augustan Age 54 3. Medieval Worldviews and Cultural Policies 72 4. Aesthetic Monumentality, Technology, and the Renaissance Origins of Modern Picturing 86 PART II: Modern Worldviews and Cultural Policies 106 5. Romanticism and the Critique of Culture: The Example of Coleridge's "On the Prometheus of Aeschylus" 108 6. The Worldview of William Blake in Relation to Cultural Policy 120 7. The Role of Communications Policy in Modern Culture 132 PART III: Postmodern Worldviews and Cultural Policies 150 8. Iran: Reaction and Revolution in the Postmodern Period 152 9. Modernity, Postmodernity, and Culture 176 10. The Artist and Postmodern Cultural Policies 186 11. Among Afterthoughts on this Occasion 196 Index 204 A 204 B 204 C 204 D 205 E 205 F 205 G 205 H 205 I 205 J 205 K 205 L 205 M 206 N 206 O 206 P 206 R 206 S 207 T 207 V 207 W 207 Y 207 Met lit. opg. - Met reg. Attention is given to the role various world views have played in generating cultural policies at various times in Western history. In this context the relation of art and the state in Imperial Rome and of language and culture in the medieval world and the emergence of the individually framed picture in the Renaissance is examined. Other topics include the artistic autonomy of English Romanticism and a conception of cultural policy through William Blake. Furthermore contemporary communications policy in Canada is discussed and cultural policies in revolutionary and pre-revolutionary Iran