Ways in Which Cultural Studies Have Political Effect - Essay Example

WAYS IN WHICH CULTURAL STUDIES HAVE POLITICAL EFFECT STUDENT NAME INSTRUCTOR NAME INSTITUTION DATE Introduction The article illustrates a paradigm shift from cultural studies to cultural research. The shift impacts politics through language, racial inclinations and rise of nationalism movements. Culture identifies people with common values and similar originality in a given setting. Cultural politics impact nationalism, mass media and politics of multiculturalism. Global debates focus on role of multicultural facets in the rise of national and social organizations. The essay will discuss the political impact of cultural studies and how culture shapes political landscape. Cultural studies are perceived to be purely academic. Cultural studies transform the political landscape of a nation. Effect of culture can be seen in the continuous rise of nationalism. Cultural study is not a classroom issue. It goes beyond class boundaries. Study of culture attempts to address contemporary issues in the society such as politics and economics. Cultural studies have global presence in the intellectual landscape of human beings. Cultural studies form an important part of social sciences and the social –political aspects at large. Cultural study is not a struggle of identity, power or value. Cultural studies influence political policies as politicians try to appreciate the values and identity of a certain culture (John, 2008). There is continued growth of cultural studies simply because of productivity in research. Politics or intellectualism tends to stagger the growth of cultural studies. Study of culture needs to be though as way of political intervention or a way of making difference in the society. Cultural studies expose the current political struggles. The rise of nationalism in most countries tends to trace common culture and identity in the political groupings in the society (Ang, 2006). Politics dominates our daily lives. Culture is all about our lives. There is no way we can exclude culture from politics. Cultural studies touch on real world issues affecting people in the contemporary society. A study of culture is not restricted to intellectual practice. Study of culture is not a classroom aspect but a wide societal aspect. Study of culture inculcates culture of priority and approaching life from outside academics (Dean, 2000). Study of culture has led to rise of identity politics. Social movements tend to revolve around a common identify and in the process advances a political agenda. Culture identifies people with common values and similar originality in a given setting. Cultural politics impact nationalism, mass media and politics of multiculturalism. Global debates focus role of multicultural facets in the rise of national and social organizations. Some of the political parties are formed to voice concerns of a particular cultural identity (Storey, 2010). Cultural studies inculcate habit of debate and creative and critical thinking among scholars. Political debates address societal issues beyond the class confines. Cultural politics raises aspects of dominant culture in society. Scholars of culture critique the role of politics in the ever decaying society. Political policies consider effects of a new bill on the society. Cultural studies tend to trace a source of a certain political and moral aspect in the current society (John, 2008). The study of cultural is a political and intellectual informed practice. Academics demonstrate relations of political power and cultural configurations. Cultural studies play a significant role of progress in politics (Dean, 2000). Practice of culture can be traced in political activism and production of organic intellectuals. Cultural studies intervene in a society so as to make a positive difference. A practice of politics in an institution is seen as an insult to people who are doing politics in the real world. Organizations are governed by rules and regulations. Some of the rules define organization culture. Organization cultures sometimes denes rightful space of expression. Cultural studies tend to trace the origin of the organization culture. After tracing the source of culture, the scholars of culture will question the ration of some of rules and organizations in the place of academics. Academic study of culture concentrates on study of production of cultural knowledge. Political pretensions trickle down in the production of culture (Durham, 2005). The ultimate goal of cultural knowledge is politics. Politics defines our day to day life. Politics is an intellectual and worldly practice of culture (Storey, 2010). According to Richard Johnson, study of culture is just a way of being in an academy (institution) but the study is not academic at all. The intuition here is that a cultural study is not a purely academic entity. Cultural studies approach practice of politics. The current crop of political science tends to address livelihood aspect of people in their natural settings. The approach is purely cultural but the practice is purely political in nature. Over the years, there is a sharp shift in institutional environments. Institutions are no longer guided by government policies but political affiliations (Dean, 2000). Current debates on relevance of some cultures in the new world are raising political eyebrows. Disciplines such as sociology, politics, human geography, English, architecture, philosophy, international relations, philosophy and history have been subjected to cultural turn. A cultural turn can be denied as twist in norms of discipline to capture new twists in the society. Political leaders are now looking for cultural places and cultural leaders so as to get in touch with voters (Storey, 2010). Cultural studies provide a theoretical basis of political framework. Cultural studies tend to eliminate political bias rough intertwining process. There is a lot of borrowing and exchange between culture and politics in our contemporary society. Political theory is on verge of fading or face oversimplification I it will continue to ignore multiplicity of domains in politics. There are multiple political domains in the current political theories. On the other hand, cultural studies will lose intervention power if it concentrates so much on political purchase. Political purchase is not a prerequisite of cultural studies (John, 2008). It is cultural studies which gives rise to political domains. A thorough research on culture provides a true and practice view of politics in the society. Cultural research influence political policies as politicians try to appreciate the values and identity of a certain culture. There is continued growth of cultural research simply because of productivity in research. Politics or intellectualism tends to hinder the growth of cultural studies. Study of culture needs to be though as way of political intervention or a way of making difference in the society. Cultural studies expose the current political struggles. The rise of nationalism in most countries tends to trace common culture and identity in the political groupings in the society. Research in cultural aspects is significant in determining political dimensions of a society (Goldfarb, 2011). Cultural study and research will be relevant if and only if it extends to solve issues which affect the society at large. The society is not limited to actions in academic institutions. Societies demands professors of culture to provide political solutions and set agenda to priorities national agenda.one of the ways academics can be accountable to people is through injection of political agenda for the nation. A politician from a developing country once said that we should do away with subjects which add little value to the economy (Dean, 2000). Cultural research provides solution in regard to the rise in crime in the society. Professors of culture argue that crime and decision to indulge in crime comes as a result of desperation. People feel the society is their source of desperation. People feel the political class is not providing social amenities and basic necessities to life. Politicians keep on promising young people that they will create millions of jobs. Culture studies have revealed that crime is a source of insecurity unemployment makes young people to indulge in criminal activities. Societies with high crime prevalence are prime targets for politicians (John, 2008). Politics and cultural studies dominate our daily lives. Culture is the study of people’s way of life. Globalization has brought about convergence of world cultures. There is no way we can exclude culture from politics. Culture determines politics as the two aspects deal with people (John, 2008). Cultural studies touch on real world issues affecting people in the contemporary society. World politics revolve around culture. A study of culture is not restricted to intellectual practice. Study of culture is not an academic aspect but a wide societal aspect. Study of culture inculcates culture of priority and approaching life from outside academics. Study of culture has led to rise of identity politics. Social movements tend to revolve around a common identify and in the process advances a political agenda. Culture identifies people with common values and similar originality in a given setting (Dean, 2000). Politics of identity forms basis of cultural activism in the society. Cultural politics impact nationalism, mass media and politics of multiculturalism. Global debates focus role of multicultural facets in the rise of national and social organizations. Some of the political parties are formed to voice concerns of a particular cultural identity. Political uprisings in the Middle East came be traced to deteriorating levels of culture. The process of reading bills in parliament follows a particular cultural trend.it is a culture of a country to entrust national assembly with legislative roles (Babe, 2009). Cultural studies profess politics as a means of making common sense unfamiliar. Academic writing and research of culture underpins the fact that professors of cultural studies cannot be goo politicians. This contrasts the fact that culture is a prerequisite of politics. Common sense demands that politic class address social issues. Access to academics is a strategy by professors of culture and scholars of culture to advance political agenda. Scholar of culture addresses a large population about failures of political system. Research in cultures amplifies tones of political failures in the society (Dean, 2000). Academic writing on cultures reaches a wider audience than political utterances. Politicians now fear that scholars are the new source of opinion in the society. Cultural studies promote community engagement. Community engagement advocates for organization culture and identity. Culture guides people through common sense while politics tend to emphasis on rules and regulations (John, 2008). Cultural studies postulate that responsibility is brought about cultural morality. Multicultural democracies have brought about new face of reflection in national projects. Projects of construction of art museums are out to provide forum of cultural criticism of new found space of democracy. Cultural projects provide an opportunity to interact among ourselves and provide accountable and scholarly solutions. A multicultural democracy is a way of advocating for community engagement. Democracy is a rule of the people by the people for the people. Culture is a way of life. Academics attempts to intertwine culture with politics (Dean, 2000). Culture destabilizes political structures. Cultural studies make people understand failures of political structures. Cultural studies provide a generosity of political differences among elite people in the society. Study of culture has freed women from cultural bondage (Totosy, 2003). In the old days women were not supposed to develop political aspirations. Scholarly works have expelled the idea that the role of women is supposed to be in the kitchen and taking care of children. Effect of culture can also be seen in formation of women groups to push for political agenda (John, 2008). Cultural studies form an integral function of public policy. People’s hold on national identity and appreciation of culture forms a basis of future political alignments. People express political resentment through cultural delusions (Durham, 2005). Political betrayal and resentment come as a result of cultural realization and identity. Political articulations falsely claim to protect cultural figures. Over time, cultural figures have been eroded with political manipulations. Cultural studies represent practical realization that there are institutions which are free of political manipulations. Cultural studies acts like a gap between theory and practice (Totosy, 2003). It is hard to separate politics of intellectual work and politics of identification in political settings. Culture studies respond to historical challenges (Ang, 2006). Political struggles and power advances personal aspirations and abuse of sovereignty of people. Cultural studies provide theories which connect political and social problems. Cultural studies facilitate political discourse o social problems in the society. Cultural studies have the prerequisite capacity to relate relevance of political representation and articulation of issues affecting the society at large. Language forms part of cultural studies. Study of language will help politicians understand insights and dynamics of people. Language is a study of culture and culture is a precondition of politics in the current society (Durham, 2005). According to Ang (2006), Political struggles are as a result of mass reception of diverse cultures. Democracy is foreign culture in developing and Asian countries. Globalization has led to mass reception of foreign cultures and in the process resulting in political struggles. Race is a cultural aspect which is currently crucial in political outcomes. Division of people along racial line adds to the current political struggles. Politicians find it hard to convince people to vote against people of the same race. People vote along racial lines (Jensen, 2010). Conclusion Cultural studies and research influence politics through language, race, globalization and scholarly works. Culture guides people through common sense while politics tend to emphasis on rules and regulations. Cultural studies postulate that responsibility is brought about cultural morality. Multicultural democracies have brought about new face of reflection in national projects. Projects of construction of art museums are out to provide forum of cultural criticism of new found space of democracy. Cultural projects provide an opportunity to interact among ourselves and provide accountable and scholarly solutions. A multicultural democracy is a way of advocating for community engagement. Study of culture inculcates culture of priority and approaching life from outside academics. Study of culture has led to rise of identity politics. Social movements tend to revolve around a common identify and in the process advances a political agenda. Culture identifies people with common values and similar originality in a given setting. Politics of identity forms basis of cultural activism in the society. Cultural politics impact nationalism, mass media and politics of multiculturalism. REFERENCES Ang, I., & Livolsi, M. (2006). Watching Dallas: cultura di massa e imperialismo culturale. Roma, Armando. Babe, R. E. (2009). Cultural studies and political economy: toward a new integration. Lanham, Lexington Books. Dean, J. (2000). Cultural studies & political theory. Ithaca, N.Y., Cornell University Press. Durham, M. G., & Kellner, D. (2005). Media And Cultural Studies. Oxford, John Wiley & Sons. Goldfarb, J. C. (2011). Reinventing political culture: the power of culture versus the culture of power. Cambridge, Polity. Jensen, E. N. (2010). Body by Weimar athletes, gender, and German modernity. Oxford, Oxford University Press. http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=631623. ST John, G. (2008). Victor Turner and Contemporary Cultural Performance. New York, Berghahn Books, Inc. Storey, J. (2010). Culture and power in cultural studies: the politics of signification. Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press. Storey, J. (2010). Cultural studies and the study of popular culture. Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press. Tötösy De Zepetnek, S. (2003). Comparative literature and comparative cultural studies. West Lafayette, Ind, Purdue Univ. Press. Read More