5 Cultural infrastructures
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Justin O’Connor
Abstract
This chapter outlines a rationale for cultural policy as a crucial dimension of individual autonomy and democratic citizenship. It first looks at the household as a centre of cultural consumption and how the cultural infrastructure is crucial to sustaining their participation in culture as collective consumption. The chapter then examines the "hard" cultural infrastructure of the built environment and its utility "pipes", followed by the "soft" cultural infrastructure. It suggests that these infrastructures sustain the capacity for individual autonomy and freedom essential for any democracy, as well as connecting us to our pasts and opening up spaces for reimagining the future. In When Nothing Works, the FEC introduce the social infrastructure as a crucial third pillar of household liveability, after disposable household income and foundational services.
Abstract
This chapter outlines a rationale for cultural policy as a crucial dimension of individual autonomy and democratic citizenship. It first looks at the household as a centre of cultural consumption and how the cultural infrastructure is crucial to sustaining their participation in culture as collective consumption. The chapter then examines the "hard" cultural infrastructure of the built environment and its utility "pipes", followed by the "soft" cultural infrastructure. It suggests that these infrastructures sustain the capacity for individual autonomy and freedom essential for any democracy, as well as connecting us to our pasts and opening up spaces for reimagining the future. In When Nothing Works, the FEC introduce the social infrastructure as a crucial third pillar of household liveability, after disposable household income and foundational services.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Dedication vii
- Contents ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 Creative industries 35
- 2 Culture goes missing 76
- 3 Necessity or luxury? 107
- 4 Culture and the social foundations 140
- 5 Cultural infrastructures 163
- 6 Culture and economy 197
- Acknowledgements 230
- Notes 232
- Bibliography 274
- Index 290
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Dedication vii
- Contents ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 Creative industries 35
- 2 Culture goes missing 76
- 3 Necessity or luxury? 107
- 4 Culture and the social foundations 140
- 5 Cultural infrastructures 163
- 6 Culture and economy 197
- Acknowledgements 230
- Notes 232
- Bibliography 274
- Index 290
