MUSIC, POLITICS & PHILOSOPHY; HOW MUSIC IS PERCEIVED AS A POLITICAL TOOL

Year 2022, , 94 - 105, 04.04.2022

Harun Abubakar Siddique , Süleyman Sidal

https://doi.org/10.35344/japss.1090338

An Erratum to this article was published on September 28, 2024. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/japss/issue/87424/1557742

Abstract

Music is used by politicians as means to reach the masses by conveying succinctly their message and boosting their images. The state also uses music to preserve some of its memories as well. However, music and musicians have suffered at the hands of politicians when the music turns to criticize politicians or the standard norms in the state or society. Thus, Music can be either an ideological tool in the hands of the state or a symbol of critique that incurs state oppression. Historically, different examples show how important role music can play in the dissolution and collapse of a political organization as well as its establishment and construction. From Plato, More, Campanella to Khomeini, philosophers, thinkers, rulers, and politicians mention the significance of music in statehood. In this study, it is argued that this view can be seen as a projection of totalitarian thought within the historical line mentioned. In this context, although music is seen as a harmless act that is essentially non-political, depending on the preference of the individual or group, and a harmless act that is not inherently political, some thinkers consider it a disruptive act that can disrupt the social order and harmony, and encourage people's indifference or disobedience to political power, or even rebellion, therefore, it is perceived as a phenomenon that should be controlled and censored.

Keywords

Music, Politics, Censor, Philosophy & State

References

• Barker, A. (1984), Greek musical writings, volume I: The musician and his art. Great Britain: Cambridge University Press.
• Britannica Encyclopaedia (2021). “Totalitarianism. Encyclopedia Britannica”. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/totalitarianism
• Campanella, T. (2001), The City of the Sun Perlego. https://www.perlego.com/book/1815866/the-city-of-the-sun-pdf (Original work published 2001)
• Cole, T. (2010), “You Ask, We Answer: 'Parental Advisory' Labels — The Criteria and The History”. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2010/10/29/130905176/you-ask-we-answer-parental-advisory---why-when-how
• Eisler, H. (1978), A rebel in music: Selected writings. New York: International Publishers.
• Frederick, S. (1983), Red & Hot: The Fate of Jazz in the Soviet Union. London: Oxford University Press.
• Gary, S. (2000), Rumba on the River: A History of the Popular Music of Two Congos. London: Verso.
• Henderson, M. I. (1957). Ancient Greek Music. London: Oxford University Press.
• History (1977), The BBC bans the Sex Pistols’ “God Save the Queen”, Retrieved from https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-bbc-bans-the-sex-pistols-god-save-the-queen
• Human Right Watch (2019) “Russia: Censorship of Younger Generation’s Music”, Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/02/28/russia-censorship-younger-generations-music
• Kaufman, G. (2020), “Here Are All the Musicians Supporting Joe Biden & Donald Trump in the 2020 Election” Retrieved from, https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/stars-support-joe-biden-election-9399733/
• Lawergren, B. (2016). "Music History". Encyclopaedia Iranica
• Linda, C. (1992). Britons: Forging the Nation 1707–1837, London: Yale University Press
• Lippman, E. A. (1963). The sources and development of the ethical view of music in ancient Greece. Musical Quarterly 49: 188-209
• Mark, S. (1996), Retuning Culture: Musical Changes in Central and Eastern Europe. London: Duke University Press
• Michael, B. & Wippermann, W. (1991) The Racial State: Germany 1933–1945. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• More, T. (1966). Utopia (1516). Leeds, England: Scolar Press Ltd.
• Muff, A. (1981), Music in the Mix: The Story of South African Popular Music. Johannesburg: Ravan Press.
• Novotney, A. (2013), “Music as Medicine”, Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2013/11/music#
• Peter W., “The Times They Are A-Changing”: Rock Music and Political Change in East Germany’, in Reebee Garofalo (ed.), Rockin’ the Boat: Mass Music
• Phillips, T. (2017), "Justin Bieber banned from China for 'bad behaviour'". Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/21/justin-bieber-banned-from-china-bad-behaviour-purify-discontent
• Plato (1963) Republic. (Paul Shorey trans.) (Original work published c375bc)
• Plato (1980) Laws (Plato. Laws. Trans. Thomas L. Pangle. New York: Basic Books. (Original work published n.d.)
• Simon, F. & Street, J. (1992). ‘Rock against Racism and Red Wedge: From Music to Politics, From Politics to Music’. Boston: South End Press
• Stokes, M. (1992), The Arabesk debate: Music and musicians in modern Turkey. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
• Street, J. (2003). ‘Fight the Power’: The Politics of Music and the Music of Politics. Government and Opposition, 38(1), 113-130.
• The American Heritage (n. d.) Music. Retrieved from https://ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=Music The Musical Quarterly, X(L2I) X, 188-209.
• The New York Times (1979). An Interview with Khomeini. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/1979/10/07/archives/an-interview-with-khomeini.html
• Winnington-Ingram, R P. (1954). Greek Music, ancient. In Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians. London: McMillan.
• Wong, E. (2009), “Band Says Beijing Canceled Concert Over Tibet”, Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/06/world/asia/06tibet.html.