Theories of Popular Culture

docx

School

University of Nairobi *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

122

Subject

Sociology

Date

Nov 24, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by ChefApe1226

Theories of Popular Culture Introduction This article will examine what or who decides popular culture and the impact of commercialization and industrialization on popular culture. In addition, it will explain how, according to this theory, popular culture either cultivates revolt or imposes control over the people and then provide a quick summary of the strengths and drawbacks of critical theory. Origin Pop culture originates from a person or group with an objective view of the contemporary milieu in connection to critical theory. In contrast to the mass culture idea, in which a group of people determines the culture to reflect their interests, this is not the case. Critical theory may not originate from those who wield power over the people, but they must apply it to be a genuine cultural change. The Marxist movement in Russia shows this. “1930s critical theory rooted their efforts in the Marxian critique of political economy and attempted to unite theory and practice” (Kellner 1989). In truth, the common man was the originator of the critical theory, but a regime shift was necessary before it could affect cultural change. Therefore, I believe that popular culture comes from the general populace, but leaders must enforce policies to keep it progressing. This kind of social control is not necessarily intrinsically corrupt. Still, it isn't easy to maintain the proper balance when people's opinions shift—continuing with the example of the

Marxist movement, which afterward gave birth to a Communist dictatorship, which was then toppled as well. Industrialization and Commercialization As a result of commercialization and industrialization, new critical and popular culture theories may emerge and be shared widely within a population. Using Marxism as an example of critical theory, we can identify the benefits and drawbacks of the industrial complex and commercialism in its many forms. One of capitalism and industrialization's key advantages, according to Marx, is its capacity to spread urbanization and industrialization across society. Capital, commodities, and markets have unprecedented power, capable of upending long- established structures that keep people in their place. According to Marxism, it's a beneficial thing that helps everyone and advances toward a more egalitarian society. They conclude that this notion goes too far and that the economic demands made on its system instead lead to a loss of humanity's nature and freedom. Marxism relies on industrialization to achieve its goals, but it also despises it for what it has become. Control or Rebellion Pop culture theory starts, for all intents and purposes, with rebellion. Although not every critical theory is as passionate as Marxism and is thus not as "loud" a revolt, it is to go against the grain of mass culture and must therefore attempt to incite rebellion. There is a problem with Marxism, critical theory, and the rebellion itself. If the criticism is welcomed with excitement and causes great social change, it must manage the public to guarantee that these changes are implemented. It is intended as revolt but transforms the mass culture into something else. Adorno and Horkheimer's critical questioning of Marxism, which was a critical theory in and of itself, touches on this example of the relationship between the two conceptions.

It is critical theory's goal to critique and reform society. It's a departure from orthodox theory, which focuses only on figuring out how the social system works. A critical theory aims to discover the assumptions that prevent people from having a complete and accurate grasp of their world. According to Horkheimer, a critical theory must be able to achieve two things: In order for it to be really comprehensive, it must consider society's historical background and include findings from the social sciences. According to Horkheimer, a theory may only be regarded as critical if it is explanatory, constructive, and normative all at the same time. The theory must be able to appropriately explain the current state of society's social issues, provide solutions to these problems, and adhere to the standards of the critical evaluation set by the area. "Traditional" theorists, he said, should be ashamed of their work because it fails to raise questions about power, dominance, and the status quo. On Gramsci's criticism of intellectuals' participation in dominance processes, he built on it. Strengths and Weaknesses. One of the most evident advantages of critical theory cannot be overstated. We may make constructive changes to society instead of "going along to get along" by studying how human civilization is acting and proposing alternatives. As individuals and as a society, we should constantly strive to develop. The emphasis on individual liberties is another advantage. Initially, Marxism wanted to liberate all people from oppression. The Critical Theories Model integrates theory with practice to effect real change based on academic growth. This is a key strength. The critical theory seeks social transformation rather than planning and prevention or explanation and knowledge. Rather than being designed to empower persons whose worldviews and ideological viewpoints have not gained equal footing in

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

societal circumstances, critical theories can affect both big and small groups of individuals on a massive scale, depending on how they are implemented. The largest drawback is that critical theory had traditionally failed to gain traction when it was made widely available and accepted by the general people. The rise and collapse of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union are two of the most dramatic instances. Millions were harmed in both situations as a result of radical societal shifts. Adorno and Horkheimer's "Dialectic of Enlightenment" from 1947 touches on this issue. No change is as extreme or terrible, but the point made was that dramatic changes must be implemented by a tiny but strong government body and tend to forget about the people they affect rapidly. Change is necessary, but it must be done gradually and delicately. Furthermore, critical theories are reliant on socially constructed value systems. In contrast to empirical laws theories, critical theories focus on the values that govern human communication. When there is a clash of values, the issue of "whose values are better?" is always asked. This is a difficult topic to answer because of the inherent ambiguity of values. The case of homosexual marriage shows the issue of ideological principles. What does it mean to be married? Is there a better definition?

References Kellner, Douglas. 1989. Critical Theory, Marxism and Modernity. Oxford: Polity Press. Barbeito, Rodrigo. (2014). CRITICAL THEORY: CULTURAL INDUSTRIES AND MASS CULTURE IN CAPITALIST.

Related Documents

Script.docx

Week 3 Interactive Activity.docx

IMG_4156.jpg

RA Test - Ali Jaffery.docx

Blog - Family Genogram.docx

Resiliency Theory.docx

Devona Jackson Case Analysis 1.docx

vet tech 14.png

Unit 1 Challenge 3 - Sophia SOC101 Story of Us Embracing Diversity Collaboration.pdf

Racisim.docx

(HS2712-Unit1).docx

Week 3 1304 Assignment.doc

Recommended textbooks for you

Social Psychology (10th Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780134641287

Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers

Publisher:Pearson College Div

Introduction to Sociology (Eleventh Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780393639407

Author:Deborah Carr, Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum

Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company

The Basics of Social Research (MindTap Course Lis...

Sociology

ISBN:9781305503076

Author:Earl R. Babbie

Publisher:Cengage Learning

Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Scien...

Sociology

ISBN:9780134477596

Author:Saferstein, Richard

Publisher:PEARSON

Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (13th Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780134205571

Author:James M. Henslin

Publisher:PEARSON

Society: The Basics (14th Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780134206325

Author:John J. Macionis

Publisher:PEARSON

SEE MORE TEXTBOOKS

Recommended textbooks for you

Social Psychology (10th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134641287
Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Publisher:Pearson College Div
Introduction to Sociology (Eleventh Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780393639407
Author:Deborah Carr, Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
The Basics of Social Research (MindTap Course Lis...
Sociology
ISBN:9781305503076
Author:Earl R. Babbie
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Scien...
Sociology
ISBN:9780134477596
Author:Saferstein, Richard
Publisher:PEARSON
Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (13th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134205571
Author:James M. Henslin
Publisher:PEARSON
Society: The Basics (14th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134206325
Author:John J. Macionis
Publisher:PEARSON