Introduction

The fifth volume in The Cultures and Globalization Series is devoted to issues of cultural policy and governance. This policy and governance perspective complements those adopted for the four preceding volumes of the Series, which as a whole addresses the complex and changing intersections between the various facets and forces of globalization on the one hand and cultural change on the other. It was implicit in these earlier volumes: in relation to cultural conflicts and tensions (2007); or to the discourses and practices of the cultural and creative industries (2008); to contemporary cultural expression and creativity (2010) and to collective engagements with heritage, memory and identity (2011). Yet none of these volumes explores as objects of analysis in and of themselves the governance and policy issues raised by cultures in a globalizing world. At this stage of our long-term endeavour, therefore, we consider it appropriate to do so.