The Propaganda of Freedom: JFK, Shostakovich, Stravinsky, and the Cultural Cold War

The idea that only artists in free societies can produce great art became a bedrock assumption of the Cold War, but Joseph Horowitz's book challenges this belief by investigating personal, social, and political factors that shape the creative act. He focuses on Stravinsky, who experienced a "freedom not to matter," and Dmitri Shostakovich, who was both victim and beneficiary of Soviet cultural policies. He also explores cultural exchange and assesses the Kennedy administration's arts advocacy initiatives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 26 September 2023
Publisher: University of Illinois Press

The notion that freedom is inherently linked to artistic vitality was a central belief of the Cold War era, championed by President John F. Kennedy. However, this belief disregarded centuries of historical evidence and ignored the remarkable achievements within the Soviet Union. Joseph Horowitz, in his book "The Propaganda of Freedom," argues that this oversimplification of freedom cheapened its meaning and became a propaganda mantra. He delves into how the CIA-funded Congress for Cultural Freedom was influenced by an anti-totalitarian "psychology of exile," stemming from the secretary general, the displaced Russian aristocrat/composer Nicolas Nabokov, and his hero, Igor Stravinsky.

Horowitz also examines personal, social, and political factors that shape the creative act, focusing on Stravinsky's experience of "freedom not to matter" in Los Angeles and Dmitri Shostakovich's position as both a victim and beneficiary of Soviet cultural policies. He explores cultural exchange and uncovers paradoxical similarities and differences in the popularization of classical music in the Soviet Union and the United States. In the closing chapters, Horowitz assesses the Kennedy administration's arts advocacy initiatives and their relevance to the complex American national identity.

"The Propaganda of Freedom" challenges long-held myths and delves into the intricate relationship between freedom ideology and cultural achievement. It sheds light on the ways in which political agendas, personal experiences, and societal dynamics have influenced the creation and reception of art during the Cold War era. This book is a valuable contribution to the study of cultural politics and provides a fresh perspective on a critical period in world history.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780252045271