Understanding the politics of heritage
Edited by Rodney Harrison"Taking a critical stance towards understanding the wider context of heritage in an approachable format, this book outlines the best of current scholarship, while the inclusion of reading lists provides an essential up-to-date guide to academic debate in the field. I shall be strongly recommending it to my students"
John Carman, Birmingham University Research Fellow and Senior Lecturer in Heritage Valuation
"The perfect starting point for anyone who wants to understand how heritage plays a crucial role in the modern world"
Peter Mandler, Professor of Modern Cultural History, University of Cambridge
"Compelling case studies from around the world that provide insight into the uses of the past and the meaning of heritage in local and global contexts"
Paul Shackel, Professor of Anthropology, University of Maryland, USA
"A landmark heritage publication, deserving of anyone who thinks that heritage matters, or wonders why it does"
John Schofield, English Heritage
Events ranging from the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission by the government of South Africa to the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan by the Taliban have much to say about heritage - that heritage may be less about upholding truth or authenticity, and more about delivering political objectives.
This book questions the view within most Western societies that heritage is necessarily 'good', and uncovers the ways in which heritage embodies relationships of power and subjugation, inclusion and exclusion, remembering and forgetting. It considers who is represented by heritage and who heritage has neglected to mention. Heritage is shown to be both a versatile concept and a powerful tool, for the ownership of heritage objects, places and practices can bestow political power as well as stimulate political struggle.
The book's principal focus is the relationship between heritage, globalisation, nationalism and grass roots heritage movements. International case studies are used to illustrate the ways in which the politics of the past are mediated in the present, including how notions of identity, social class, and nationhood may be woven into the provision of official heritage. The book highlights the influence of the World Heritage Convention and World Heritage List on heritage management in various global societies.
With its firmly interdisciplinary and global approach, Understanding the politics of heritage will be of interest not only to students of heritage studies, but also to students and professionals in the fields of archaeology, art history, anthropology, sociology, history, human geography, religious studies, museum studies, cultural studies, natural heritage management, and leisure and tourism studies.
Contents:-
List of figures
Notes on contributors
Preface
List of abbreviations
Introduction
1. What is heritage? - Rodney Harrison
2. Critical approaches to heritage - Rodney Harrison and Audrey Linkman
3. Heritage as a tool of government - Anne Laurence
4. World Heritage - Ian Donnachie
5. The politics of heritage - Rodney Harrison
6. Heritage and nationalism - Richard Allen
7. Heritage, colonialism and postcolonialism - Rodney Harrison and Lotte Hughes
8. Heritage and class - Susie West
Appendix: cultural heritage policy documents
Glossary
Acknowledgements
Index
Rodney Harrison is Lecturer in Heritage Studies at The Open University
Understanding Global Heritage
246x189mm 328pp
pb 9780719081521 01 January 2010 £24.99
80 b&w illustrations
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