Nostalgia: A sphere and process of contemporary ideology

This theoretical essay looks at the ahistorical elements of nostalgia as found in popular culture, with special emphasis on discussion within the Frankfurt School offered as alternative explanations. It is argued that the anti-critical thrust of nostalgia masks the crises of monopoly capitalism and redirects the conflicts in manageable channels. This conclusion is reached in light of analyses by Marcuse, Horkheimer, Habermas, Adorno and other critical theorists who have considered these issues.Revised version of paper presented at the annual meeting of the Southwestern Social Science Association, Houston, Texas (April, 1978).