Cultural politics and globalized infomedia: C. L. R. James, Theodor Adorno and Mass Culture Criticism

Alleyne, Brian. 1999. Cultural politics and globalized infomedia: C. L. R. James, Theodor Adorno and Mass Culture Criticism. Interventions: International Journal of Postcolonial Studies, 1(3), pp. 361-372. ISSN 1369-801X [Article]

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Abstract or Description

The mass culture and information technology industries — infomedia — are at the leading edge of the processes of globalization. These infomedia industries are organized by and in the interest of northern elites as part of the unequal global balance of power and resources. But infomedia, provided that they are subjected to searching critique, do offer to cultural activists resources that may be turned towards radical democratic projects. Both C. L. R. James and Theodor Adorno brought a radical humanist consciousness to bear on the mass culture industries in the USA in the immediate postwar period. Though their conclusions differed, their analyses taken together can provide cultural activists with effective tools for reading both the pitfalls and potentials of the emergent infomedia industries.

Item Type:

Article

Identification Number (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1080/13698019900510571

Keywords:

Cultural Behaviour, Information Technology, Criticism, Mass Culture, Balance of Power, Globalization, Theodor W. Adorno, Cyril Lionel Robert James, Political Science

Departments, Centres and Research Units:

Sociology

Dates:

DateEvent
3 February 1999Accepted
1999Published

Item ID:

25601

Date Deposited:

08 Feb 2019 15:09

Last Modified:

08 Feb 2019 15:09

Peer Reviewed:

Yes, this version has been peer-reviewed.

URI:

https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/25601

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