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Cambridge Companions to Culture

The Cambridge Companion to Modern British Culture

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British culture today is the product of a shifting combination of tradition and experimentation, national identity and regional and ethnic diversity. These distinctive tensions are expressed in a range of cultural arenas, such as art, sport, journalism, fashion, education, and race. This Companion addresses these and other major aspects of British culture, and offers a sophisticated understanding of what it means to study and think about the diverse cultural landscapes of contemporary Britain. Each contributor looks at the language through which culture is formed and expressed, the political and institutional trends that shape culture, and at the role of culture in daily life. This interesting and informative account of modern British culture embraces controversy and debate, and never loses sight of the fact that Britain and Britishness must always be understood in relation to the increasingly international context of globalisation.

340 pages, Paperback

First published August 19, 2010

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Michael Higgins

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Profile Image for Owlseyes .
1,805 reviews306 followers
May 19, 2022
The book offers a chronology of relevant, key events to understand the formation of Modern British Culture. The events start in 1707 with the Act of Union between the parliaments of England and Scotland; and end in 2010 when a general election produced a “hung” parliament (no overall majority), being the Conservatives the largest single party.


(He thought Europe was moving his way... )

Right, in May 2007 Tony Blair was saying his nation was "special" and the "greatest" on earth. Not exceptional. And indeed Brexit confirms the uniqueness of the UK. Whatever the outcome of it.




The book covers this British uniqueness in their language (evolving), schools and culture at large, say, cinema, poetry, theatre, TV, art, fashion and sports. But also in music, sexual mores, newspapers and ethnic and religious views (right, including the Muslim issue).

17 essays by 17 different authors.

Away from the shadow of the Empire.

UPDATE


Brexit being "done" on 31st of January 2020, that will have serious impacts on culture, as well. Adding to it, a sort of break away of Scotland (should a new referendum say "yes" to independence).

In a 10-years time, British culture won't be the same. Nor the UK.

UPDATE

Hmmm Northern Ireland.....and Sinn Fein victory pose problems.
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