Popular culture is blown by many winds: trends, talent, tradition, technology, treasure... But I haven't seen much on the influence of public policy. Three interesting data points that crossed my radar recently:

• Tanz Tanz Revolution: A brief history of the rise of techno music in East and West Berlin as urban policy after the fall of the wall literally makes space for German big dance parties to bloom.
  
  
• How Japanese technology shaped dance music: The favourable exchange rate in the '70s and '80s was a kickstart for Japanese electronics gaining a foothold in the global market.
  
  
• How the 1996 Telecommunicaitons Act killed rock and roll: Clear Channel takes advantage of loosening restrictions on radio station ownership, and soon dominates and neuters rock radio.