From entertainment to citizenship reveals how the young use shows like X-factor to comment on how power ought to be used, and how they respond to those pop stars like Bono and Bob Geldof who claim to represent them. It explores how young people connect the pleasures of popular culture to the world at large. For them, popular culture is not simply a matter of escapism and entertainment, but of engagement too.

The place of popular culture in politics, and its contribution to democratic life, has too often been misrepresented or misunderstood. This book provides the evidence and analysis that will help correct this misperception. It documents the voices of young people as they talk about popular culture (what they love as well as what they dislike), and as they reveal their thoughts about the world they inhabit. It will be of interest to those who study media and culture, and those who study politics.

John Street is Professor of Politics in the School of Political, Social and International Studies at the University of East Anglia

Sanna Inthorn is Senior Lecturer in Society, Culture and Media in the School of Political, Social and International Studies at the University of East Anglia

Martin Scott is Lecturer in Media and International Development in the School of International Development at the University of East Anglia

1. Introduction
2. Politics and popular culture
3. Citizenship and popular culture
4. Researching young people, politics and popular culture
5. Points of engagement: reading the politics within popular culture
6. Real power
7. Young citizens and celebrity politicians
8. Altogether now: creating collective identities
9. Playing with citizenship
10. Conclusion
References