Cultures of Decolonisation: Transnational Productions and Practices, 1945–70: 135 (Studies in Imperialism) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1526134306 ISBN 13: 9781526134301

Publisher: Manchester University Press, 2018

Synopsis

Cultures of decolonisation combines studies of visual, literary and material cultures in order to explore the complexities of the ‘end of empire’ as a process. Where other accounts focus on high politics and constitutional reform, this volume reveals the diverse ways in which cultures contributed to wider political, economic and social change.

The book demonstrates the transnational character of decolonisation, thereby illustrating the value of comparison – between different cultural forms and diverse places – in understanding the nature of this wide-reaching geopolitical change. Individual chapters focus on architecture, theatre, museums, heritage sites, fine art and interior design, alongside institutions such as artists’ groups, language agencies and the Royal Mint, across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Europe.

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About this title

About the Authors

Ruth Craggs is a Lecturer in Cultural and Historical Geography at King's College, London

Claire Wintle is a Senior Lecturer in History of Art and Design at the University of Brighton

From the Back Cover

What were the distinctive cultures of decolonisation that emerged between 1945 and 1970? What can they tell us about the complexities of the 'end of empire' as a process? How did they reflect and influence the processes of dramatic geopolitical change wrought by the dismantling of European empires? Cultures of decolonisation brings together studies of visual, literary and material cultures to explore these questions.

The collection illustrates the value of engaging with the complexities of decolonisation, as enacted and experienced by a broad range of actors beyond 'flag independence' and the realm of high politics. In doing so it makes an important contribution to the diversification of the historiography of the end of empire.

A range of disciplinary perspectives are included, with individual chapters focusing on architecture, theatre, museums, heritage sites, fine art and interior design alongside institutions such as artists' groups, language agencies and the Royal Mint, in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Europe. The contributions reveal the diverse ways in which cultures were active in wider political, economic and social change, working as crucial gauges, microcosms and agents of decolonisation. They demonstrate the transnational character of decolonisation and its cultures, thereby illustrating the value of comparison - between different sorts of cultural forms and different geographical locations - in understanding the nature of this dramatic and wide-reaching geopolitical process.

This collection will appeal to students and lecturers in imperial history and researchers of decolonisation at all levels across the humanities and social sciences.

From the Inside Flap

What were the distinctive cultures of decolonisation that emerged between 1945 and 1970? What can they tell us about the complexities of the 'end of empire' as a process? How did they reflect and influence the processes of dramatic geopolitical change wrought by the dismantling of European empires? Cultures of decolonisation brings together studies of visual, literary and material cultures to explore these questions. The collection illustrates the value of engaging with the complexities of decolonisation, as enacted and experienced by a broad range of actors beyond 'flag independence' and the realm of high politics. In doing so it makes an important contribution to the diversification of the historiography of the end of empire.A range of disciplinary perspectives are included, with individual chapters focusing on architecture, theatre, museums, heritage sites, fine art and interior design alongside institutions such as artists' groups, language agencies and the Royal Mint, in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Europe. The contributions reveal the diverse ways in which cultures were active in wider political, economic and social change, working as crucial gauges, microcosms and agents of decolonisation. They demonstrate the transnational character of decolonisation and its cultures, thereby illustrating the value of comparison - between different sorts of cultural forms and different geographical locations - in understanding the nature of this dramatic and wide-reaching geopolitical process. This collection will appeal to students and lecturers in imperial history and researchers of decolonisation at all levels across the humanities and social sciences.

Edition details

• Publisher: Manchester University Press
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1526134306
• ISBN 13: 9781526134301
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 288
• Editor: Craggs Ruth, Wintle Claire