Helmut K. Anheier and culture institute ifa present new tool to analyse countries' cultural strategies

Countries often use external cultural policy strategies to complement or substitute their economic, diplomatic or security policies. The new European Cultural Policy Monitor, a joint project of the Hertie School and German cultural institute ifa, aims to analyze cultural policy strategies across Europe. It was developed by Helmut K. Anheier, Senior Professor of Sociology at the Hertie School in cooperation with Luskin School for Public Affairs at the University of California Los Angeles. First country reports are already available for download. 

The Monitor provides an overview of external cultural policy objectives, measures and activities individual countries undertake. It includes the analysis of major policy fields such as culture and arts, language, education, science, research, and media. Country profiles offer quantitative data and contextual information in a structured way that allows cross-country comparisons.

“From a realist point of view, you have to admit that culture in form of soft power is closely intertwined with other aspects of foreign policy, and is indeed a growing element in how countries position themselves in an increasingly competitive and changing geopolitical system. It is high time to realise this,” says Anheier.

The authors of the country reports say that all political economies consist of regimes based on institutions that shape the supply side of the economy, as well as on drivers of demand like government spending and private consumption. The reports use a variety of resources and methodologies, providing material for comparative analyses and a comprehensive overview of the cultural lives of different countries. 

"For politicians and media professionals it is instrumental to under­stand how these mechanisms work. Hence the need for comprehensive research as provided with the ECP Monitor, one significant component of ifa’s work in policy advice" says ifa’s Secretary General Gitte Zschoch.

The first set of 30 country reports and seven comparative reports is now online and can be down­loaded here: www.ifa.de/en/research/ecp-monitor/

Updates and more countries will be added to the ECP Monitor in the upcoming months.

About ifa

ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen promotes a peaceful and enriching coexistence between people and cultures worldwide. ifa supports artistic and cultural exchange in exhibition, dialogue and conference programmes, and it acts as a centre of excellence for international cultural rela­tions. It is part of a global network and relies on sustainable, long-term partnerships.

ifa is supported by the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, the state of Baden-Württemberg and its capital Stuttgart. www.ifa.de/en

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