The development of popular national daily newspapers, the cinema, the radio, the gramophone, and other forms of mass entertainment in early 20th-century Britain threatened to upset traditional patterns of British culture and engendered a determined opposition among writers, artists, intellectuals, and others. This book explores the often antagonistic relationship between commercial and élite culture during this period. LeMahieu traces the rise of commercial culture, where success was measured by popularity rather than aesthetic merit, explores the responses of the cultivated elites, and charts the gradual emergence of a common culture during the interwar period. "One of the most useful cultural histories of interwar Britain to have emerged."-- Journal of Communication "An excellent book, well written and illuminating."-- CHOICE "A remarkable achievement..."-- Journal of Modern History "Fills a unique spot in the literature. It will undoubtedly be the source of much interesting and important future work."-- Technology and Culture "Fascinating...Incisive and richly nuanced."-- Albion "A comprehensive, readable, entertaining and indispensable volume of cultural history."--Ray Browne, Bowling Green University "Fascinating...Incisive and richly nuanced study. LeMahieu deftly probes a multiplicity of topics without ever appearing either superficial or discursive. His notes and bibliography are a testament to scholarship of the highest order and illuminate the field for other historians...Exemplary."-- Albion "Erudite, important, and full of delights...In its richness and detail, grand yet coherent structure, and persuasive analysis, A Culture for Democracy might be emulated by historians working in a number of fields. Its integration of technological, economic, and sociological material with more familiar themes of cultural history breaks new ground in our understanding of how ideas and images become shared throughout society."--John Ben Snow Prize Honorable Mention 1988 Citation of the North American Conference on British Studies D. L. LeMahieu, Professor of History, Lake Forest College.