Images and sounds, movements and rhythms, forms of poetic language speak to us about our place in the world. They allow collective meaning making and communication through distinctive modes of symbolic knowledge not available to rational discourse, offering an indispensable, if sometimes opaque, contribution to our shared social life.
This research stream calls for a radical repositioning of culture as part of the foundational economy and a core area of public policy, alongside the likes of health, education, energy and transport. Against reductionist views of culture as a market-based consumer services sector (the “cultural industry”), mere luxury, or epiphenomenal element of the ideological superstructure we understand culture as “thick” and essential to social reproduction, liveability, and citizenship.
This research stream calls for a radical repositioning of culture as part of the foundational economy and a core area of public policy, alongside the likes of health, education, energy and transport. Against reductionist views of culture as a market-based consumer services sector (the “cultural industry”), mere luxury, or epiphenomenal element of the ideological superstructure we understand culture as “thick” and essential to social reproduction, liveability, and citizenship.
But not all culture is foundational. For culture to be foundational it must be rooted in place and in people’s lives, be accessible to them and responsive to their needs. Furthermore, it must be “democratic” in practice. How can we maintain and deepen the foundational nature of culture in times of cultural wars, extractive platforms and local welfare cuts? How can we (re)connect culture and policy again beyond the mainstream economics gaze?
Discover more in the reference list below.
Readings
- Calafati, L., Froud, J., Gilmore, A., O’Connor, J. and Williams, K. (2026) Culture as foundational. Available at: https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/publications/culture-as-foundational/
- Gilmore, A., Eltham, B. and Burnill-Maier, C. (2026) ‘Infrastructure or industry: Re-performing cultural statistics and the foundational economy’, European Journal of Cultural Studies, 29(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/13675494251391580
- O’Connor, J. (2026) ‘Reclaiming culture as a social foundation’, interview on Challenging Economic Assumptions podcast. Available at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6i5Kokix2GagE8fNW41eny
- O’Connor, J., Oakley, K. and Barnett, T. (2026) ‘Culture as foundational’, European Journal of Cultural Studies, 29(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/13675494261432911
- O’Connor, J., Whiting, S. and Barnett, T. (2026) ‘Do give up your day job: Basic income for artists, and other stories’, Cultural Trends. https://doi.org/10.1080/09548963.2026.2655376
To join the conversation: Justin.oconnor@adelaide.edu.au Abigail.gilmore@manchester.ac.uk
The Foundational Economy 