A Study on the Relations between Arts and Politics: Focusing on the Cancel Culture in the 21st Century

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to introduce the notion and characteristics of the Cancel Culture based on the Grounded Theory and to open a forum for discussion on conflicting perspectives. To this end, this study aimed to suggest implications by qualitatively following the logic of the Grounded Theory with related cases and examining their impact, focusing on the recent exclusion of Russian arts and culture among international institutions. The notion of Cancel Culture is a movement of depriving public figures of their social status or professions by publicly discrediting and boycotting those who are judged to be unethical and immoral. It might appear to be effective when legal remedies are not appropriate, by requesting immediate correction in an informal manner. On the other hand, due to the nature of public opinion driven by private censorship, it is apt to lose neutrality and tolerance, and thus threaten freedom of expression, besides undermining human rights. Under the circumstances that the Cancel Culture is getting attention as a social concern around the world, this study could be meaningful in identifying the need for related research to open a public forum in domestic arts and academic communities.