Journals / Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler ve Eğitim Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 8 Sayı: 15

The effects of cultural and political factors on freedom of artistic expression

Kültürel ve politik faktörlerin sanatsal ifade özgürlüğüne etkileri

Seda Liman Turan(TRABZON ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-6920-6558
Emrehan Şeyihoğlu(TRABZON ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0009-0005-9637-2988
Pages
595–620
Publication Date
2026-10-15
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings indicate that cultural and political dynamics play a decisive role in shaping artistic freedom.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This article investigates the impact of cultural and political factors on artistic freedom of expression.
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Key Findings & Data:Using a qualitative research approach, the study analyzes literature, providing examples of globally significant political and cultural factors, as well as relevant artists and artworks.
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Conclusion & Impact:The findings indicate that cultural and political dynamics play a decisive role in shaping artistic freedom.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Sanat · Özgürlük · Kültür

Abstract

This article investigates the impact of cultural and political factors on artistic freedom of expression. Within this framework, the study examines attempts to restrict artistic expression during the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, the American culture wars, the Sensation exhibition, the Danish Muhammad cartoons, and accusations against artists during the AIDS crisis. Using a qualitative research approach, the study analyzes literature, providing examples of globally significant political and cultural factors, as well as relevant artists and artworks. The control and instrumentalization of artistic expression as a propaganda tool in the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany are considered extreme examples of the influence of political factors on artistic freedom. In the United States, during the post-1960s culture wars, censorship attempts against works by Robert Mapplethorpe and Andres Serrano reflected struggles over defining social realities among different groups. The findings indicate that cultural and political dynamics play a decisive role in shaping artistic freedom. While authoritarian regimes enforce direct censorship and restrictions, liberal democracies often limit artistic expression indirectly through public pressure, social norms, and political discourse. Considering the global fragility of artistic freedom, it is crucial to critically evaluate current conditions and continue efforts to safeguard this fundamental right.

Özet

Bu makalede, kültürel ve politik faktörlerin sanatsal ifade özgürlüğüne etkileri araştırılmıştır. Bu bağlamda araştırmada; Sovyetler Birliği ve Nazi Almanyası dönemlerinde sanatsal ifade özgürlüğüne yönelik engelleme girişimleri, Amerikan kültür savaşları, Sensation sergisi, Danimarka Muhammed karikatürleri ve AIDS salgını sürecinde sanatçılara yöneltilen suçlamalar ile sanatı sansürleme girişimleri incelenmiştir. Nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden literatür taranarak derlenen araştırmanın verileri; Dünya genelinde yankı uyandıran politik ve kültürel faktörler, dönemin sanatçıları ve sanat eserlerinden örnekler verilerek analiz edilmiştir. Sovyetler Birliği ve Nazi Almanya’sı zamanında sanatsal ifade özgürlüğünün devlet kontrolü altına alınması ve propaganda aracı haline getirilmesi, politik faktörlerin sanatsal ifade özgürlüğüne etkileri bakımından ekstrem örnekler olarak değerlendirilmiştir. Amerika Birleşik Devletleri’nde 1960 sonrasında başlayan ‘kültür savaşları’ döneminde, Robert Mapplethorpe ve Andres Serrano’nun eserlerine yönelik sansür girişimlerinin, gruplar arasında bir çeşit sosyal gerçekliği tanımlama mücadelesi olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Bu bağlamda, kültürel ve politik dinamiklerin sanatsal ifade özgürlüğü üzerinde belirleyici bir rol oynadığı sonucuna varılmaktadır. Otoriter rejimlerde açık sansür ve kısıtlamalar öne çıkarken, liberal demokrasilerde kamuoyu baskısı, toplumsal normlar ve politik söylemler dolaylı sınırlayıcı etkiler yaratabilmektedir. Sanatsal ifade özgürlüğünün küresel ölçekte kırılgan bir yapıya sahip olduğu göz önünde bulundurulduğunda, mevcut koşulların eleştirel bir farkındalıkla değerlendirilmesi ve bu özgürlüğün korunmasına yönelik çabaların sürdürülmesi önem taşımaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Turan, S. L., Şeyihoğlu, E. (2026). The effects of cultural and political factors on freedom of artistic expression. Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler ve Eğitim Dergisi, Cilt: 8 Sayı: 15, 595–620. https://doi.org/10.67567/usbed.2010645

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