Arts Under Pressure analyses the relevant forces behind decision making in cultural matters worldwide under the influence of economic globalisation.

The book deals with all the arts, in all parts of the world and focuses on the cycle of creation, production, distribution, promotion, reception and influence. It asks: who has the power to decide what reaches audiences, in what quantities, with what contents and surrounded by what kinds of ambiances? Refuting the 'natural' existence of a mass culture, Arts Under Pressure argues that globally dominant artistic creations are produced, distributed and promoted on a mass scale that destroys the diversity any society desperately needs. Smiers argues that countries must take culture out of the grip of the WTO and sign a new International Convention on Cultural Diversity.

Smiers concludes with a completely new vision of copyright, advantageous to artists, third world countries and the public domain.