Cultural Internationalism in Cold War Contexts

Cultural internationalism during the Cold War encompassed a wide array of state-sponsored and grassroots exchanges of art, literature, music and ideas that transcended ideological divisions. Far from mere propaganda, these activities forged transnational networks of artists, writers, intellectuals and activists who sought to shape public opinion, foster solidarity and contest hegemonic narratives. Superpowers and emerging postcolonial states alike deployed cultural diplomacy and soft power to extend influence, while non-aligned actors cultivated autonomous forums for dialogue. Key vehicles included international exhibitions, festivals, literary journals, touring ensembles, radio broadcasts and student congresses. Intersecting with struggles against colonialism, racism and authoritarianism, cultural internationalism left a lasting imprint on global solidarity movements and contributed to the reconfiguration of international relations. Contemporary research highlights its enduring relevance for public diplomacy, heritage preservation and creative collaborations in a multipolar world.

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Cultural Internationalism in Cold War Contexts publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in cultural internationalism in cold war contexts across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Cultural internationalism: Transnational exchange of cultural goods and practices aimed at mutual understanding and influence during geopolitical competition.

Cultural diplomacy: The deliberate use of cultural initiatives by states or organisations to further foreign policy goals.

Soft power: The capacity to attract and co-opt rather than coerce, using cultural appeal and values.

Non-aligned movement: A coalition of states that sought to remain independent from both US and Soviet blocs during the Cold War.

References

1. The Cultural Underground of Decolonization. The Cambridge Journal of Postcolonial Literary Inquiry (2023).
2. Anti-apartheid transatlantic networks in the age of the civil rights struggle: Bloke Modisane in the United States. Safundi (2023).
3. Peeking under the Asian Iron Curtain: Socialist, Persianate and anti-colonial modes of friendship between Pakistani and Tajik poets. History and Anthropology (2024).