The popular culture has long been the subject of a romantic search for survivals and remnants. With this book, first published in 1961, Hermann Bausinger made a decisive contribution to the redefinition and reorientation of folklore not only in Germany but also in other countries. First, the author here refutes the perception of a popular culture that remains untouched by technological progress, focused solely on the past. In doing so, he removes from popular culture the dimension of seemingly always untouched tradition. By examining social groups and a range of cultural forms as they manifest in everyday life (urban culture, revival, imitation and commodification of tradition, pop culture and kitsch), as well as corresponding scientific perspectives, the book helps us understand the position of popular culture in modern society as a mixture of premodern and modern elements. Second, as older geographical, temporal, and social horizons constantly expand, people continue to preserve horizons of identity in their lifeworlds. Our society has reconciled itself with the penetration of technology into our lives, but as a counterbalance, there is a popular culture that corresponds to the image of an "ideal" world and a set of values; this world still serves as a reference point today.