Socialism and Romanticism

[Faustian Dreams]

I do not recall whether this issue has been raised before, but the question was recently (re)kindled in my mind:

What role is there for Art (both musical and visual; they've both been dead for quite some time) in a socialist state, which embraces utilitarian ideals, as Art has no inherent utility? Even in a capitalist state, art became advertisement and entertainment. I can only imagine the decline and eventual elimination of music schools, orchestras, and performers of classical music in such a political entity.

Or am I mistaken?

[Berianidze]

Art plays a very practical role in socialist society, mainly, as art (and the means of producing it) are entirely within the means of the community as a whole. From the most pragmatic stance, art should be used--and this applies to any society-- to coincide with the national ideology. Art in a socialist state should be heavily influenced if not completely overtaken by the socialist ideology. Utilizing art in such a way that it may be a tool of the dictatorship of the proletariat is what the ultimate goal should be. All forms of art should play an important role in acting as an agent of the socialist state--this is where socialist realism comes in. Socialist realism should be the predominent and accepted form of art (rooted in neoclassicism). Aesthetic principles need to be handed down to artists and art that serves the purpose of promulgating socialist thought are important aspects of the cultural foundation of a socialist society.

Since art would be so highly politicized, this aides in the socialization process of the masses. The fact that art would be available to all, not just a select few nor would it serve the purpose of advertisements, it would take on a new appreciation. Art would essentially become property of all individuals, and to be enjoyed by all. Bourgeois decadent art that serves absolutely no purpose and was once restricted to those who could go visit a museum and view them in galleries would not be allowed. Art should take the form of a strong socialization tool and be expected to adhere to certain principles in order to govern their aesthetic quality and the greater sense of purpose in which it serves.

This doesn't mean that everything has to strictly be a tool for politicization however, but it does require that antagonistic art is censored and not made avilable.