This text reviews the history, cultural diversity and artistic legacy of art produced in the service of social and political change from ancient times to the present day. The author presents the arts of state control, of opposition, of revolution, of advertising, politics and self-promotion in their historical contexts

• 1. The ancient world
• Very beginning
• Alexander
• Pax Romana
• 2. The Middle Ages
• Dark ages
• Norman conquest
• Onward Christian soldiers
• 3. Early modern period
• Art of printing
• Troublesome priest
• Red and white rose
• Renaissance
• Propaganda of the senses
• Here comes the sun
• English Civil War
• Into the light
• American Revolution
• Tree of liberty
• Man on the white horse
• 4. The machine age
• 19th century
• Fourth estate
• Rule Britannia
• From sea to shining sea
• New printing method
• Golden age of posters
• Modern movement
• First World War
• 5. Early 20th century
• Mexican Revolution
• Russian Revolution
• Between the wars
• WPA
• Spanish Civil War
• Nazis
• Second World War
• 6. Modern world
• Cold War
• Post-war Britain
• Chinese cultural revolution
• Cuban revolution
• Vietnam and the art of protest
• Propaganda in the digital age