The Democratic Muse: Visual Arts and the Public Interest

In this unusually thought-provoking book, Edward Banfield makes some very telling arguments against public spending for culture and the arts, especially those supplied by the elite institutions. Although there is disagreement with many of his proposals, his questions about cultural policy cannot be ignored. Those who run and fun cultural agencies will have to read this book, and to rethink their objectives, mandates, and rationales as well as their current justifications for public support.