The problem with cultural property

by RoryLitwin

Here’s a brief essay in the New York Times by Edward Rothstein that I am afraid I don’t have much to say about at the moment. I think I agree with it, at least partially, but I get the feeling that there is an important counterpoint that is not coming to mind. The editorial essay is from May 27, and is titled, “Antiquities, the World Is Your Homeland.” It argues that the idea of cultural property, which is supposed to protect important art, artifacts, and architecture from looting and destruction, though well-intentioned, is having the effect of restricting public access out of bureaucratic state (and tribal) interests. Though he doesn’t advertise it specifically, an aspect of Rothstein’s point is anti-authoritarian and decentralist. As I say, I don’t have much to say about it other than that I think it presents an important question.

4 comments on “The problem with cultural property”

  1. Am I wrong to think that this sounds like fairly straight-up cultural neocolonialism (in a humanist guise)? The essay assumes a world without power imbalances. Would this argument be made if the U.S. found itself in the position of trying to get the Liberty Bell back from, say, Brazil? I certainly don’t feel I have an inherent right to anyone else’s culture.

  2. I think that’s right, John. I don’t know why I had trouble thinking of that.

    Neocolonialism in a humanist guise…. That phrase cuts to the greater difficulty though, that humanism and Enlightenment liberalism (which I know I can’t let go of) are the European tradition…

  3. Neocolonialism in a humanist guise…. That phrase cuts to the greater difficulty though, that humanism and Enlightenment liberalism (which I know I can’t let go of) are the European tradition…

    Sure, but isn’t pluralism and multiculturalism just as much part of the Enlightenment tradition, by way of Enlightenment ideas about equality and the relative merits of European culture and the “state of nature”? We get into trouble when the right claims an Enlightenment mandate to do things like enforce “democracy” on Iraq with guns. We shouldn’t let them get away with it.

    Not that this is necessarily a right-wing point of view, but it does seem relatively reactionary to attack the idea of cultural property itself.

    (I work, in a very ancillary way, in the cultural resource industry, so this is interesting to me. I’m soliciting opinions from professionals in my workplace.)

  4. I agree… But I think the loss of public access the article is talking about may be real, and it’s hard to let go of the idea of public access and the museum, as connected to colonialism as it may have turned out to be.

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