ABSTRACT

The Tyranny of Relativism is an impassioned attempt by one of England's most distinguished critics to capture the feel of British culture at the end of the twentieth century: its moods, attitudes, and institutions. Richard Hoggart presents a double argument, suggesting first that cultural dilemmas stem from a long slide towards moral relativism, as consumerism rather than authority increasingly determines the texture of life; and secondly, that despite its claims to the contrary, British Conservative governments have exploited these changes to their own ends.

part One|18 pages

Relativism to Opportunism

chapter Chapter One|16 pages

Riding Relativism’s Wave

part Two|172 pages

Aspects of the Dominant Mood

chapter Chapter Two|34 pages

Distortions of Education

chapter Chapter Three|41 pages

The Arts: Intellectual, Artistic and Academic Relativism

chapter Chapter Four|18 pages

Angles on Mass and Popular Culture

chapter Chapter Five|43 pages

The Betrayal of Broadcasting

chapter Chapter Six|15 pages

Misuses of Language

chapter Chapter Seven|19 pages

Ways of Looking: Compass Bearings in a Wide-Open Society?

part Three|90 pages

Grit on the Flywheel

chapter Chapter Eight|5 pages

Home Thoughts: Old-Style Checks and Balances

chapter Chapter Nine|15 pages

From Class to Status: Resistance by Transference

chapter Chapter Ten|30 pages

Patrons and Sponsors

chapter Chapter Twelve|13 pages

Ancestral Voices: Myths and Mottoes to Live By

part Four|38 pages

Who Needs a Clerisy?

chapter Chapter Thirteen|17 pages

Democratic Representations and Democratic Spirits

chapter Chapter Fourteen|19 pages

Diverse Voices, and Opinion-Formers

part Five|22 pages

A Summing-up; and a Very Qualified Prospectus

chapter Chapter Fifteen|20 pages

Where are We, and Where do We Go from Here?