The theory, methods and politics of cultural studies are examined in this book which is concerned with the ways in which public culture reflects the relations between identities, race, gender and class.

Adapting a range of theories and approaches, the author demonstrates how a cultural form effectively disseminates meanings - a political act - by marginalizing certain identities, norms, modes of thinking and knowledges while valuing others. The book covers topics as diverse as comic book superheroes, patriotic songs in Hindi films, the projection of 'authenticity' in tourist brochures and the poetics of display in museums.