Blockbusters and Trade Wars: Popular Culture in a Globalized World [Hardcover]

Peter S. Grant (Author), Chris Wood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2004

Unprecedented worldwide distribution of books, television programs, and other cultural products would seem to augur well for the diversity of ideas. Yet a dwindling number of media conglomerates — significantly American controlled — are increasingly herding consumers toward very profitable “blockbuster” films, books, and recordings at the expense of independent and alternative works. Presenting an essential international perspective, Blockbusters and Trade Wars reveals links between freedom of expression and intellectual diversity.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Douglas & McIntyre; Edition Unstated edition (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1553650093
• ISBN-13: 978-1553650096
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,501,465 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Culture & Country vs. Commodity & Company, October 20, 2004

By 

AliGhaemi (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blockbusters and Trade Wars: Popular Culture in a Globalized World (Hardcover)

Canadian authors Peter S. Grant and Chris Wood, respectively a noted communications lawyer and a journalist, have set out to dissect, examine and prod the policies and issues surrounding the concept of contemporary culture and the many forces exerting pressure on the world stage to either commercialize and liberalize or maintain or expand the regulations and frameworks currently in place to keep works of culture off the free market. In their comprehensive book the authors argue serenely and dispassionately that while the former will lead to a silencing of many cherished voices and the diminishing of choice, the latter is the key to the free expression of different ideals the world over.
Taking a cradle to the grave approach, the authors explore all forms of art and cultural expression from audio and video to books, magazines and more. Grant and Wood craft a lucid argument against the dilution of cultural voices through the inclusion of culture within international trade agreements. They further note in detail the large stakes in cultural politics and conclude that the liberalization of trade in this area is tantamount to too large a giveaway to be affordable for most nations. With twelve countries producing 80 per cent of the world's cultural exports and cultural creators contributing vast amount to their respective countries' coffers, the stakes are too important for governments - even from a revenue perspective - not to actively and consistently engage in defining and protecting their national identities. Ironically, it is this protectionism that will ultimately lead to a richer and more diverse quilt of ideas and expressions.
Contrary to the laws governing the World Trade Organization and other quasi-official fora for setting and proclaiming international commerce guidelines, the expression of ideas of all forms requires its own setting. This would ideally be a place of rational discussion and not one of cold and misguided decisions favouring purely monetary rationalizations at the expense of quality and diversity. The authors further expand on the invalidity of laissez faire and comparative advantage economics and, quite rightly, insist by way of modern examples how cultural goods behave and co-exist differently than their more tangible cousins. The prevalent economic theorems being faulty to begin with, they fall even shorter in the cases of art and expression.
Blockbusters and Trade Wars: Popular Culture in a Globalized World is of interest to consumers, observers and participants in the fields of audio, video, written word, broadcasting and the Internet alike and is a complete collection for those looking for an in-depth discussion of the workings of said disciplines within an economic context.