Sociology of Culture and Cultural Practices

The Transformative Power of Institutions

Sociology of Culture and of Cultural Practices traces the development of the sociology of culture from its origins (Weber and Simmel) and examines the major trends that have emerged in this branch of sociology. It raises issues of cultural hierarchy, of distinction, and of legitimate culture and mass culture, and focuses on new areas of research, including the role of institutions, the reception of works of art, aesthetic experience, and emancipation through art and presents a synthesis of research and debate from France and the United States. instituting process helps to counteract the determinism of certain ideas based on a rigid conception of the habitus and underlines the transformative power of cultural institutions. cultural practices can be politically instituted. In examining the ideal of the democratization of culture, and, especially, the possibility of realizing such an ideal, Fleury describes how cultural inequalities can be overcome and shows how culture can fulfil an emancipatory function.

Fleury also raises issues of cultural hierarchy, distinction, and legitimate culture and mass culture and focuses on new areas of research, including the role of institutions, the reception of works of art, aesthetic experience, and ...