A different class: Transforming creative employment under New Labour
Open Access
Author:
Karth, Michelle Marie
Area of Honors:
Media Studies
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Charles Elavsky, Thesis Supervisor Dr. Susan Mary Strohm, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
New Labour creative labour England popular music creative industries social inclusion New Deal for Musicians cultural policy Manchester
Abstract:
In order to fully grasp how social, economic, and cultural policies have merged since the 1980’s, it is crucial to first examine how the creative industries came to be seen as an entity that could cure both economic and social troubles. Thus, the beginning of this thesis focuses on the tenets of Thatcherism and the relationship between neoliberalism, cultural policy, and creative industry quarters. After studying the impact Margaret Thatcher’s government had on creative employment, the present next provides an examination of how Tony Blair used the creative sector to further New Labour ideals by merging economic discourses with elements of nationalism, public policy, and social inclusion. Finally, this research concludes with an examination of the current coalition in
order to assess whether or not culture is still being used as an aid to achieve social policy
objectives in contemporary Britain.
