The Study On Raymond Williams’ Cultural Theory Of Community

As a pioneer and founder of British Cultural Studies and an important representative of British Marxism,Raymond Williams constructed a very creative cultural theoretical system.Williams’cultural theory reveals a new form of critical thinking and combines cultural theory with political goals,and proposes to construct a community culture characterized by educated and participatory democracy to deal with the contemporary cultural dilemma of extrinsic crisis and intrinsic crisis.The earliest germination can be traced back to the ancient Greek period."Community" is a complex and broad concept that contains core connotations such as commonality,the manifestation of individual values and the realization of collective interests,emotional identification and ideality.The concept of "community" in the British cultural tradition has been around for a long time.The community thoughts of Burke,Lawrence,Tawney,Leavis and other theorists have infiltrated Williams’structure of feeling and become the theoretical background of Williams’ Cultural Theory of "Community".Williams put forward his own innovative cultural view on the basis of critique of British elitist cultural view.He believes that culture is daily life,a whole set of lifestyles,and an active and creative material production process,which broadens and popularizes the concept of culture,and gives culture a more active and dynamic effect,makes it possible for a common culture of open democracy to emerge.Williams emphasized the joint participation of all members in the process of cultural creation.The realization of a common culture requires each individual to participate in the activities of expressing meaning and values,which is essentially a free and contributing process of joint participation.In his criticism of cultural elitism thinkers and left-wing thinkers,Williams constructed his own unique concept of "community".Williams’ Cultural Theory of"Community" tries to answer the realistic political problems put forward by the times and has deep political motive.Williams affirmed the contemporary value of the concept of "community",expanded the cultural dimension of the concept of"community",and regarded the construction of cultural community as bridging the deepening rift between individuals and individuals,between individuals and society,and between classes and classes.The effective way reflects Williams’ fundamental desire to democratize culture.The formation of a cultural community depends on the dissemination of literature and art and the popularization of education."Structure of Feeling" is widely owned by members of the community,and similar structure of feeling and common experience are the basis for communication between people.Language,as an important medium for transmitting personal experience,is an important bridge between individual experience and common experience.The development of the community is realized through the communication and transmission of structure of feeling.As the main carrier of structure of feeling and common experience communication and dissemination,literary works are an important way to build a cultural community.The equal right to education is a prerequisite for the realization of a cultural community.Education not only cultivates people’s value recognition of the cultural community,but also inherits the "structure of feeling" in the community,and at the same time cultivates people’s ability to innovate the common experience and structure of feeling.The cultural community is constructed by the individuals with different experiences,which has the characteristics of pluralism and complexity.The cultural community is always in the process,and the individual’s creative experience is constantly renewing the emotional structure of the community.Therefore,the concept of solidarity with working-class culture is an indispensable stabilizing factor.The values of collectivism,solidarity and mutual assistance,and common progress are the solid foundation of the cultural community.Williams’ outstanding application of the theory of civil society and cultural hegemony in Antonio Gramsci is the further development and improvement of his Cultural Theory of "Community".He introduced power and struggle into the cultural field,to make culture a place for ruling class and the ruling classes to fight and discuss."Community" is not an ideal form that has been completed,but is in the dynamic construction process of free development,changing with the development of society.The realization of the cultural community needs the continuous development of the emerging culture to win the cultural hegemony.Williams’ cultural studies contain rich theoretical value and provide an important theoretical reference for contemporary cultural construction and cultural governance.Community culture as a "Heuristic Utopia" concept,through cultivating people’s yearning for a better life in the future,leading people to realize the current cultural estrangement,so that people continue to move towards this ideal cultural state.