New Directions in Cultural Policy Research
1 total work
The Politics of Museums is the first book to thoroughly examine how and why museums are political institutions. Clive Gray investigates the ways in which power, ideology and legitimacy affect the operations of both individual museums and entire museums sectors around the world. The analysis distinguishes between the international, national and local politics of museums and deals with such topics as the instrumentalisation of museums, globalisation and museums, the symbolic role of museums, and how museum professionals affect the operations of the museums sector. The politicization and depoliticization of museums are explained and the political significance of museums for nations, governments and citizens is identified. This analysis of museums marks an original approach to an often undervalued societal resource and will be enjoyed by all who have an interest in the world of museums.