🎭 Why the Political Economy of Creative Industries? Why this whole🧵metaphor?

As promised (and I hope it is not very dull & long), I am sharing in the next few posts some reflections and inspirations on the spine of my last book:

📚 In 1857, in Manchester, John Ruskin challenged industrialists with profound truth about economics in the first industrial revolution: we've "warped the word 'economy' into meaning merely sparing or saving." The perfect economist balances utility and beauty – "in her right hand, food and flax... in her left hand, the purple and the needlework."

🌐 The first half of the 21st century was remarkably brief: only 20 years (!!) of excessive focus on utility, technological disruption, AI, global pandemic, radical social interaction and value shifts. Now, we must shape the next half century beyond mere narrow productivism. This is why the Political Economy of Creative Industries matters.

🧵 Therefore, it inspired key threads woven throughout my new book:

The Golden Thread of Bridge-building: Weaving economic theory, cultural studies, sociology, and policy to reveal hidden patterns between disciplines, challenging traditional silos and creating fresh insights

The Political Economy Silk: Illuminating the complex interplay of creative production, market forces, and power structures, advancing CCIs as a vital field of study

The National Models Cotton: Exploring how diverse regions craft and adapt creative industry models, reflecting unique cultural and economic contexts

The Conceptual Wool: Clarifying key concepts and definitions in creative and cultural industries, providing precision where ambiguity often prevails

The Data & Policy Polyester: Grounding creative frameworks in empirical evidence and real-world policy contexts, ensuring both beauty and functionality

⚖️ Political Economy isn't just about markets – it's about balancing what sustains life and what makes it worth living. As Ruskin taught, this negotiation between utility and splendour is the true art of economics

🌟 The challenge ahead: Can Creative Industries become the cornerstone of a 21st century that prioritises human potential, balanced progress, and inclusive democracy?