ABSTRACT

In 2008 another economic crisis emerged in the long history of capitalism which created a period of ‘austerity economics’ across many nations. Cultural Politics in the Age of Austerity examines how austerity has impacted upon cultural politics in relation to understanding how established power is both maintained and challenged.

The book begins by detailing the meaning of cultural politics before exploring themes such as media discourse, austerity narratives, class, cultural hegemony/government policymaking, social movements and the European Union, and left responses to austerity. It also includes chapters tracing cultural politics in Spain, with a focus on anti-austerity movements and the relationship between austerity and Spanish football.

Cultural Politics in the Age of Austerity assesses the impact of a range of cultural/political forms concerning the dynamics of society and relations of power during times of crisis. As such, it will appeal to scholars of culture, media, politics, philosophy, sociology and social psychology.

chapter 2|24 pages

Unmasking the golem

English riots, media and the social psychology of madness

chapter 4|26 pages

‘We have to keep going, whatever happens’

The austerity narratives of Girls, Breaking Bad and Downton Abbey

chapter 5|27 pages

Managing the social impacts of austerity Britain

The cultural politics of neo-liberal ‘nudging’

chapter 6|25 pages

Class and cultural colonization in the era of austerity

The dialectics of identity and de-subordination

chapter 8|21 pages

Cultural politics and anti-austerity movements in Spain

Towards a comprehensive strategy of change

chapter 9|25 pages

The sweet smell of success

Spanish football as the antidote to austerity since 2008

chapter 10|21 pages

Orwell’s progeny

The British left in an age of austerity 1