The Ministry of Nostalgia
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Author | Owen Hatherley |
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Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Published | London |
Publisher | Verso Books |
Publication date | 2016 |
Pages | 218 |
ISBN | 9781784780753 |
306 |
The Ministry of Nostalgia is a 2016 book by British writer Owen Hatherley.
Synopsis
The Ministry of Nostalgia argues that "our past is being resold in order to defend the indefensible". The book examines the so-called "austerity" of the 1940's and 50's and argues that history has been "recast to offer consolation for the violence of neoliberalism, an ideology dedicated to the privatisation of our common wealth". The Ministry of Nostalgia questions "why should we have to keep calm and carry on?"[1]
Reception
In The Independent Marcus Tanner supports the conclusions of the book that "austerity" in the post-War UK was redistributive, with those on higher incomes paying more for the introduction of the welfare state.[2]
References
- ^ Owen Hatherley. "Keep Calm and Carry On – the sinister message behind the slogan that seduced the nation | Books". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
- ^ Marcus Tanner. "The Ministry of Nostalgia by Owen Hatherley, book review | Reviews | Culture". The Independent. Retrieved 2016-06-02.