Oliver Bennett
Biographic Data
| ID | 114960 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Oliver Bennett |
| GIVEN NAMES | Oliver |
| FAMILY NAME | Bennett |
| SIGNATURE | BENNETT O |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Warwick |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 25 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 165 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 24 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 1 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1995 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 6 |
Christopher Gordon (1944-2026)
Special issue on cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations (4)
This is the fourth in the Journal’s dedicated series of annual special issues that focus on questions of cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations. The distinguishing feature of the a
Cultural Pessimism
Cultural pessimism arises with the conviction that the culture of a nation, a civilisation or of humanity itself is in a process of irreversible decline. In an incisive and wide-ranging analysis, Cultural Pessimism: Narratives of Decline in the Postmodern World charts the growth of pessimism in the West during the last decades of the twentieth century.Drawing on studies from within a very broad range of fields, which include ecology, human rights…
Special issue on cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations (3)
This is the third in the Journal’s dedicated series of annual special issues that focus on questions of cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations. The distinguishing feature of the ar
Special issue on cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations (2)
This is the second in the Journal’s dedicated series of annual special issues that focus on questions of cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations. The distinguishing feature of the a
Special issue on cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations (1)
Cultures of Optimism
What are the functions of optimism in modern societies? How is hope culturally transmitted? What values and attitudes does it reflect? This book explores how and why powerful institutions propagate 'c
Cultures of Optimism
Cultural Policy Review of Books
Cultures are shaped by many institutions and agencies, including governments, corporations, education and the media. In recent years, research into these culture-shaping activities has been increasingly associated with the developing field of cultural policy studies. The Cultural Policy Review of Books offers a fascinating insight into the intellectual formation of many of the leading figures that have contributed to this field. Invited to write …
Cultural policies and religion
The relations between cultural policies and religions have to date received relatively little attention on the part of researchers in cultural policy studies. They warrant such attention, however
The manufacture of hope
This article builds on earlier research, which concludes that societies cannot sustain themselves without cultures of optimism. These cultures are reproduced by a complex of ‘optimism promoters’, all of which can be seen to be engaged in a kind of unstated or ‘implicit’ cultural policy, with the production of optimism as one of its goals. The institution of religion is part of this complex. Its role in the production of optimism is the focus of t…
Strategic canonisation
In his 27‐year reign (1978–2005), Pope John Paul II created not only more saints than any other pope in history, but also more saints than all the other popes put together since Pope Urban VIII centralised control of saint‐making in 1634. This article argues that the elevation of ‘celebrity saints’, such as Padre Pio and Mother Theresa, can be seen as an attempt on the part of the Catholic Church to strengthen its presence within the arena of pop…
Cultures of Optimism
Drawing on material from a broad range of fields, this article identifies an 'optimism of everyday life' and proposes that it performs significant psychological, social and cultural functions. These functions are briefly reviewed, with particular reference to psychological and physical health, family and social relationships and the achievement of goals in different contexts. It is argued that the necessity of optimism has given rise to a complex…
Beyond the “Toolkit Approach”
This article presents a reflection on the possibility and potential advantages of the development of a humanities‐based approach to assessing the impact of the arts, which attempts to move away from a paradigm of evaluation based on a one‐size‐fits‐all model usually reliant on empirical methodologies borrowed from the social sciences. A “toolkit approach” to arts impact assessment, as the article argues, demands excessive simplifications, and its…
The cultural policy review of books
Raymond Williams, Culture and society 1780–1950
Raymond Williams, Culture and society 1780–1950 ." International Journal of Cultural Policy, 16(1), pp. 9–10
Researching the social impact of the arts
This paper offers a contribution to current debates in the field of cultural policy about the social impact of the arts. It explores the conceptual difficulties that arise in the notion of ‘the arts’ and the implications of these difficulties for attempts to generalise about their value, function and impact. It considers both ‘essentialist’ and ‘institutional’ perspectives, first on ‘the arts’ in toto and then on literature, fiction and the novel…
On religion and cultural policy
This paper argues that religious institutions have largely been neglected within the study of cultural policy. This is attributed to the inherently secular tendency of most modern social sciences. Despite the predominance of the ‘secularisation paradigm’, the paper notes that religion continues to promote powerful attachments and denunciations. Arguments between the ‘new atheists’, in particular, Richard Dawkins, and their opponents are discussed…
The Social Impact of the Arts
An intellectual history of contrasting ideas around the power of the arts to bring about personal and societal change - for better and worse. A fascinating account of the value and functions of the arts in society, in both the private sphere of individual emotions and self-development and public sphere of politics and social distinction.
Determinants of Impact
The article argues that current methods for assessing the impact of the arts are largely based on a fragmented and incomplete understanding of the cognitive, psychological and socio-cultural dynamics that govern the aesthetic experience. It postulates that a better grasp of the interaction between the individual and the work of art is the necessary foundation for a genuine understanding of how the arts can affect people. Through a critique of phi…
Rethinking the Social Impacts of the Arts
The paper presents a critical discussion of the current debate over the social impacts of the arts in the UK. It argues that the accepted understanding of the terms of the debate is rooted in a number of assumptions and beliefs that are rarely questioned. The paper goes on to present the interim findings of a three-year research project, which aims to rethink the social impact of the arts, with a view to determining how these impacts might be bet…
Intellectuals, Romantics and Cultural Policy
This paper explores the relationship between intellectuals, Romantics and cultural policy, with particular reference to the work of William Wordsworth (1770–1850) and Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822). It first examines the idea of the intellectual in an English context and then briefly traces the idea of cultural policy from its use in practical policy discourse to its more theoretical application within a general politics of culture. Within a pl…
Beyond Machinery
Research Article| September 01 2005 Beyond Machinery: The Cultural Policies of Matthew Arnold Oliver Bennett Oliver Bennett Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google History of Political Economy (2005) 37 (3): 455–482. https://doi.org/10.1215/00182702-37-3-455 Cite Icon Cite Share Icon Share Twitter Permissions Search Site Citation Oliver Bennett; Beyond Machinery: The Cultural Policies of Matthew Arnold. History of Political Eco…
Cultural policy, cultural pessimism and postmodernity 1
Cultural policy in the United Kingdom
(1995). Cultural policy in the United Kingdom: Collapsing rationales and the end of a tradition. The European Journal of Cultural Policy: Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 199-216.
Rethinking the Social Impacts of the Arts
The paper presents a critical discussion of the current debate over the social impacts of the arts in the UK. It argues that the accepted understanding of the terms of the debate is rooted in a number of assumptions and beliefs that are rarely questioned. The paper goes on to present the interim findings of a three-year research project, which aims to rethink the social impact of the arts, with a view to determining how these impacts might be bet…
Determinants of Impact
The article argues that current methods for assessing the impact of the arts are largely based on a fragmented and incomplete understanding of the cognitive, psychological and socio-cultural dynamics that govern the aesthetic experience. It postulates that a better grasp of the interaction between the individual and the work of art is the necessary foundation for a genuine understanding of how the arts can affect people. Through a critique of phi…
Strategic canonisation
In his 27‐year reign (1978–2005), Pope John Paul II created not only more saints than any other pope in history, but also more saints than all the other popes put together since Pope Urban VIII centralised control of saint‐making in 1634. This article argues that the elevation of ‘celebrity saints’, such as Padre Pio and Mother Theresa, can be seen as an attempt on the part of the Catholic Church to strengthen its presence within the arena of pop…
Cultures of Optimism
Drawing on material from a broad range of fields, this article identifies an 'optimism of everyday life' and proposes that it performs significant psychological, social and cultural functions. These functions are briefly reviewed, with particular reference to psychological and physical health, family and social relationships and the achievement of goals in different contexts. It is argued that the necessity of optimism has given rise to a complex…
On religion and cultural policy
This paper argues that religious institutions have largely been neglected within the study of cultural policy. This is attributed to the inherently secular tendency of most modern social sciences. Despite the predominance of the ‘secularisation paradigm’, the paper notes that religion continues to promote powerful attachments and denunciations. Arguments between the ‘new atheists’, in particular, Richard Dawkins, and their opponents are discussed…
The manufacture of hope
This article builds on earlier research, which concludes that societies cannot sustain themselves without cultures of optimism. These cultures are reproduced by a complex of ‘optimism promoters’, all of which can be seen to be engaged in a kind of unstated or ‘implicit’ cultural policy, with the production of optimism as one of its goals. The institution of religion is part of this complex. Its role in the production of optimism is the focus of t…
Cultural policy, cultural pessimism and postmodernity 1
Researching the social impact of the arts
This paper offers a contribution to current debates in the field of cultural policy about the social impact of the arts. It explores the conceptual difficulties that arise in the notion of ‘the arts’ and the implications of these difficulties for attempts to generalise about their value, function and impact. It considers both ‘essentialist’ and ‘institutional’ perspectives, first on ‘the arts’ in toto and then on literature, fiction and the novel…
Intellectuals, Romantics and Cultural Policy
This paper explores the relationship between intellectuals, Romantics and cultural policy, with particular reference to the work of William Wordsworth (1770–1850) and Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822). It first examines the idea of the intellectual in an English context and then briefly traces the idea of cultural policy from its use in practical policy discourse to its more theoretical application within a general politics of culture. Within a pl…
Beyond Machinery
Research Article| September 01 2005 Beyond Machinery: The Cultural Policies of Matthew Arnold Oliver Bennett Oliver Bennett Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google History of Political Economy (2005) 37 (3): 455–482. https://doi.org/10.1215/00182702-37-3-455 Cite Icon Cite Share Icon Share Twitter Permissions Search Site Citation Oliver Bennett; Beyond Machinery: The Cultural Policies of Matthew Arnold. History of Political Eco…
Cultural policies and religion
The relations between cultural policies and religions have to date received relatively little attention on the part of researchers in cultural policy studies. They warrant such attention, however
Raymond Williams, Culture and society 1780–1950
Raymond Williams, Culture and society 1780–1950 ." International Journal of Cultural Policy, 16(1), pp. 9–10
Cultural policy in the United Kingdom
(1995). Cultural policy in the United Kingdom: Collapsing rationales and the end of a tradition. The European Journal of Cultural Policy: Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 199-216.
Cultural policy, cultural pessimism and postmodernity 1
Beyond Machinery
Research Article| September 01 2005 Beyond Machinery: The Cultural Policies of Matthew Arnold Oliver Bennett Oliver Bennett Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google History of Political Economy (2005) 37 (3): 455–482. https://doi.org/10.1215/00182702-37-3-455 Cite Icon Cite Share Icon Share Twitter Permissions Search Site Citation Oliver Bennett; Beyond Machinery: The Cultural Policies of Matthew Arnold. History of Political Eco…
Intellectuals, Romantics and Cultural Policy
This paper explores the relationship between intellectuals, Romantics and cultural policy, with particular reference to the work of William Wordsworth (1770–1850) and Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822). It first examines the idea of the intellectual in an English context and then briefly traces the idea of cultural policy from its use in practical policy discourse to its more theoretical application within a general politics of culture. Within a pl…
Determinants of Impact
The article argues that current methods for assessing the impact of the arts are largely based on a fragmented and incomplete understanding of the cognitive, psychological and socio-cultural dynamics that govern the aesthetic experience. It postulates that a better grasp of the interaction between the individual and the work of art is the necessary foundation for a genuine understanding of how the arts can affect people. Through a critique of phi…
Rethinking the Social Impacts of the Arts
The paper presents a critical discussion of the current debate over the social impacts of the arts in the UK. It argues that the accepted understanding of the terms of the debate is rooted in a number of assumptions and beliefs that are rarely questioned. The paper goes on to present the interim findings of a three-year research project, which aims to rethink the social impact of the arts, with a view to determining how these impacts might be bet…
The Social Impact of the Arts
An intellectual history of contrasting ideas around the power of the arts to bring about personal and societal change - for better and worse. A fascinating account of the value and functions of the arts in society, in both the private sphere of individual emotions and self-development and public sphere of politics and social distinction.
Researching the social impact of the arts
This paper offers a contribution to current debates in the field of cultural policy about the social impact of the arts. It explores the conceptual difficulties that arise in the notion of ‘the arts’ and the implications of these difficulties for attempts to generalise about their value, function and impact. It considers both ‘essentialist’ and ‘institutional’ perspectives, first on ‘the arts’ in toto and then on literature, fiction and the novel…
On religion and cultural policy
This paper argues that religious institutions have largely been neglected within the study of cultural policy. This is attributed to the inherently secular tendency of most modern social sciences. Despite the predominance of the ‘secularisation paradigm’, the paper notes that religion continues to promote powerful attachments and denunciations. Arguments between the ‘new atheists’, in particular, Richard Dawkins, and their opponents are discussed…
Beyond the “Toolkit Approach”
This article presents a reflection on the possibility and potential advantages of the development of a humanities‐based approach to assessing the impact of the arts, which attempts to move away from a paradigm of evaluation based on a one‐size‐fits‐all model usually reliant on empirical methodologies borrowed from the social sciences. A “toolkit approach” to arts impact assessment, as the article argues, demands excessive simplifications, and its…
The cultural policy review of books
Raymond Williams, Culture and society 1780–1950
Raymond Williams, Culture and society 1780–1950 ." International Journal of Cultural Policy, 16(1), pp. 9–10
Cultural policies and religion
The relations between cultural policies and religions have to date received relatively little attention on the part of researchers in cultural policy studies. They warrant such attention, however
The manufacture of hope
This article builds on earlier research, which concludes that societies cannot sustain themselves without cultures of optimism. These cultures are reproduced by a complex of ‘optimism promoters’, all of which can be seen to be engaged in a kind of unstated or ‘implicit’ cultural policy, with the production of optimism as one of its goals. The institution of religion is part of this complex. Its role in the production of optimism is the focus of t…
Strategic canonisation
In his 27‐year reign (1978–2005), Pope John Paul II created not only more saints than any other pope in history, but also more saints than all the other popes put together since Pope Urban VIII centralised control of saint‐making in 1634. This article argues that the elevation of ‘celebrity saints’, such as Padre Pio and Mother Theresa, can be seen as an attempt on the part of the Catholic Church to strengthen its presence within the arena of pop…
Cultures of Optimism
Drawing on material from a broad range of fields, this article identifies an 'optimism of everyday life' and proposes that it performs significant psychological, social and cultural functions. These functions are briefly reviewed, with particular reference to psychological and physical health, family and social relationships and the achievement of goals in different contexts. It is argued that the necessity of optimism has given rise to a complex…
Cultural Policy Review of Books
Cultures are shaped by many institutions and agencies, including governments, corporations, education and the media. In recent years, research into these culture-shaping activities has been increasingly associated with the developing field of cultural policy studies. The Cultural Policy Review of Books offers a fascinating insight into the intellectual formation of many of the leading figures that have contributed to this field. Invited to write …
Cultures of Optimism
What are the functions of optimism in modern societies? How is hope culturally transmitted? What values and attitudes does it reflect? This book explores how and why powerful institutions propagate 'c
Cultures of Optimism
Special issue on cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations (1)
Special issue on cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations (2)
This is the second in the Journal’s dedicated series of annual special issues that focus on questions of cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations. The distinguishing feature of the a
Cultural Pessimism
Cultural pessimism arises with the conviction that the culture of a nation, a civilisation or of humanity itself is in a process of irreversible decline. In an incisive and wide-ranging analysis, Cultural Pessimism: Narratives of Decline in the Postmodern World charts the growth of pessimism in the West during the last decades of the twentieth century.Drawing on studies from within a very broad range of fields, which include ecology, human rights…
Special issue on cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations (3)
This is the third in the Journal’s dedicated series of annual special issues that focus on questions of cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations. The distinguishing feature of the ar
Special issue on cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations (4)
This is the fourth in the Journal’s dedicated series of annual special issues that focus on questions of cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations. The distinguishing feature of the a
Christopher Gordon (1944-2026)
Political science (20 works) · Sociology (19 works) · Law (16 works) · Cultural Industries and Urban Development (13 works) · Law (12 works) · Philosophy (11 works) · Cultural policy (10 works) · Politics (10 works) · Social science (9 works) · Epistemology (8 works)