Culture and the State

From the end of the eighteenth century to the late nineteenth century, a remarkable convergence takes place in Europe between theories of the modern state and theories of culture.Culture and the Stateexplores that theoretical convergence in relation to the social functions of state and cultural institutions, showing how cultural education comes to play the role of forming citizens for the modern state. Culture and the Staterecords the history of working class resistance to the emergence of state educational institutions and the gradual acceptance of state education by working class movements later in the century. Its conclusions critique the way in which materialistic thinking has largely taken the concept of culture for granted and failed to grasp its relation to the idea of the state. Rather than subscribe to the notion of culture as an autonomous domain, Lloyd and Thomas pursue its shifting involvement with state projects through thenineteenth century.

Paul Thomas is a Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley.