Rethinking Cultural Studies: A Study of Raymond Williams and Edward Said

Cultural studies in British emerged in the 60s as a particular project within a given social formation with an emphasis o the relationship between culture and politics. In later years it became a thoroughly institutionalized practice, moving away from its original political emphasis. After its fateful encounter with French Theory, it took a theoretical turn becoming more and more abstract and preoccupied with the ‘symbolic’ and the ‘textual’. It is in this context that this book traces the rise and growth of cultural studies and attempts to evaluate the contribution of two foremost and influential cultural theories of our times-Raymond Williams and Edward W.Said, who occupy different geographical and theoretical positions-to cultural studies. Said’s work was greatly influenced by, and is a response to, Williams’ seminal work on culture. Though Vico and Foucault were major influences, it was Williams’ cultural materialism. The book explores and problematizes their relationship and focuses on the exchange, connections, continuity and opposition between their positions vis-?-vis imperialism, nationalism and the question of identity. The book also discusses postcolonial theory’s ambivalent relationship with Marxism.