Does your hometown or state capital have a
sponsored symphony, theater, or dance
troupe, for example, the Boston Opera
House, the New York Philharmonic, or the
Houston Ballet? Why do municipal or state
governments offer financial support to elite
arts organizations such as these? Shouldn’t
the market decide? If these operations cannot
survive on their own, why should taxpayers
underwrite them? After all, does your city or
state underwrite hip-hop or jazz clubs, rock
‘n’ roll, or R & B venues? What would
someone from the Frankfort School say
about this state of affairs? Someone from
political economy theory?