Dwight MacDonalds Theory of Mass Culture: A Comprehensive Overview

Abstract

This paper discusses Dwight Macdonald’s “Theory of Mass Culture” by firstly summarising its content; this entails what MacDonald means by mass culture, why he prefers the term “mass” over popular, mass culture about High Culture, why is mass culture different from folk culture and the attempts made to keep mass culture in check Secondly, the current essay also discusses how the term mass culture was defined by other scholars like Krzysztof Teodor Toeplitz and Wladyslaw Kopalinski the criticism that has been put forward against this theory in addition to my own thoughts on the matter. Furthermore, it considers the advantages and characteristics of mass culture. And this paper also focuses on the various discussions regarding the development and importance of mass culture. By his own admission, MacDonald rejects any good merits attached to The Mass Culture, stating that the drawbacks are by far more potent than any good that mass culture can bring to the table. The thoughts put forth by MacDonald are compelling, to say the least. Thus, I find myself agreeing with MacDonald in that the future of mass culture looks dismal; however, there is hope that they can coexist.