These essays represent a selection of 40 years' commentary on the political dimensions of cultural life. They address the entire spectrum of culture, from theories of international communication to the provision of cultural and leisure facilities at local level. As a former consultant to the Council of Europe, the author has developed a penetrating insight into the decision-making process between local authorities and citizens' groups, which is discussed in two seminal papers from the 1980s which pioneered the concept of Cultural Democracy.

In addition, the book's close readings of novels and plays by Irish and Greek writers explore the way that all writing and forms of self-expression have a political message and repercussions.