Music and politics

Course description

This course examines the complex relations between music and politics. This an exercise in political theory/philosophy, an attempt to see how political theorists/philosophers can think seriously about music. What kind of political object is music? How can music be genuinely political? Is there a specific relation between music and liberal-democratic ideals? What are the implications of the rise of a “cultural industry” for music? Is the distinction between elitist and popular forms of music still politically relevant? Can music be a source of political transformations? Is Beyoncé politically relevant and if so, how? When music should be political? When should it be apolitical?

Theme covered will included: the relevance of protest songs; music and identity politics: propaganda; the politics of punk; rap and the politics of race; cultural industry and mass culture; contestation, resistance and marginality; cooptation and authenticity; art and political engagement; political emotions; the politics of pleasure.