Since culture is the mediator between the individual and society, it is not surprising that it is a crucial part of politics. This is recognized by New Labour. Chris Smith, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, in a speech soon after the 1997 Labour election victory, stated that "Culture is what gives us a sense of identity both as individuals and as a nation". He argued that culture lies at the very heart of the mission of the new government. This book presents a series of differing inflections of the relationship between politics and culture. The editors argue that it is crucial to analyze the culture of New Labour; but also that any politics in the age of "the triumph of capitalism" needs to be informed by cultural theory.