The Public Sphere and Politics
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary criticism Charles Tilly levels against the conventional understanding of the public sphere?

  • It is morally admirable but analytically useless. (correct)
  • It is theoretically complex but practically applicable.
  • It is overly focused on media and communications.
  • It is spatially focused but lacks normative value.
  • According to the author, what is a key deficiency of the predominant approach to studying the public sphere?

  • It is too focused on the spatial dimension.
  • It overemphasizes content regulation
  • It emphasizes realism over idealism.
  • It neglects the importance of sensory access. (correct)
  • What is the author's main objective in theorizing the public sphere?

  • To develop a model focused on ideal communication patterns.
  • To build a model that is morally neutral but analytically strong. (correct)
  • To integrate idealist and normative theories with spatial elements
  • To create a morally driven yet theoretically weak model.
  • What does the author identify as a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of politics in relation to the public sphere?

    <p>The regulation of content within public spaces. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a central element of the public sphere that the author sees as impacting political behavior?

    <p>The logic of publicity and general visibility. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Habermas, which characteristic is central to the public sphere?

    <p>Open access in principle to all citizens. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What relationship does the author note between politics and public spaces?

    <p>A dialectical relationship; public spaces can both enhance and derail politics. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author suggest about the impact of publicity and publicness on political actors?

    <p>They can be resources or constraints. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a fundamental characteristic of citizens acting as a public?

    <p>They address matters of general interest without coercion. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the concept of 'bracketing out the particularities of the speakers' imply in the context of public discourse?

    <p>Setting aside individual backgrounds to focus on common issues. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What has been a significant criticism of Habermas's concept of the public sphere?

    <p>It ignores the formation of identities in the course of public debates. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the concept of 'counterpublics' in relation to the public sphere?

    <p>Contentious groups formed by subordinate groups that challenge mainstream discourse. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a commonly held view of the public sphere regarding the normative orientation of its participants?

    <p>It is dependent on public-spirited communication. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a criticism of focusing on 'civicness' in the context of the public sphere?

    <p>It neglects the role of individual interests and biases. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary issue with the conflation of the public sphere with citizenship?

    <p>Much public discourse is not directly related to citizenship. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the text view the idea of widespread and egalitarian participation in the public sphere?

    <p>It identifies the notion as a goal, rather than an accurate description of public discourse. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the text say about a public discourse that is 'high-minded'?

    <p>It is often perceived as hollow and frequently attracts attempts to debunk it. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the text's perspective on public actions motivated by self-serving interests?

    <p>They are often disguised as actions motivated by some general principle. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the text imply about the relationship between civil society organizations and institutional politics?

    <p>They are often linked through financial, ideological, or organic connections. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the text describe the way that the term 'public' is often viewed in public sphere studies?

    <p>As an active group engaged in a space. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a point of criticism mentioned in the text regarding the public sphere?

    <p>The notion that it is free of political influence. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of assuming that public spaces should be places of egalitarian civic dialogue?

    <p>It can lead to critical and condemnatory public sphere studies due to the realities often not matching the ideal. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a main critique of the idea that the public sphere requires public spirited communication?

    <p>The meaning of 'public spirited' often reflects the observers own biases. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The author argues that public recognition can be seen as a form of capital similar to which of the following?

    <p>Social capital, political capital, and economic capital (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the author explain the phenomenon of negative publicity?

    <p>It can damage a person's reputation, even in the absence of substantial evidence of wrongdoing. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author suggest about the potential benefits of negative publicity for individuals?

    <p>It can raise their profile and bring them attention. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the author, how can individuals signal rectitude in public?

    <p>By adhering to societal norms despite potential personal costs. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of public recognition, what advantage does the author attribute to those who are unknown?

    <p>They can more easily challenge existing power structures. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author suggest about the relationship between publicity and the public sphere?

    <p>The public sphere is a necessary condition for the existence of publicity. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which example does the author use to illustrate the opportunistic use of publicity in the political arena?

    <p>Politicians publicizing the wrongdoings of their rivals. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant reason for low civic participation?

    <p>Lack of knowledge and subsequent disinterest in public issues. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author suggest about the use of public spectacles by political actors?

    <p>It is a means of demonstrating power and authority. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a potential consequence of a lack of control or cowardice in the public sphere?

    <p>A decline in public recognition. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the text suggest about the asymmetry often found in the public sphere?

    <p>It is a constitutive feature, with a few receiving attention and many giving it. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does the text claim that the dominant approach struggles with the concept of scandal?

    <p>Because the dominant approach assumes that the public sphere is a place of rational discourse, which differs from the conflict present in scandals. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the author connect publicity with the work of artists, politicians, and legal professionals?

    <p>Publicity can both benefit and hinder the work of all three professions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The author argues that publicity can affect political actors in all of the following ways EXCEPT:

    <p>It can help them to control the flow of information and maintain their power. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily characterizes public scandals?

    <p>They are events of public wrangling, with self-interested participants and a large audience of spectators. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a key characteristic of the Dreyfus affair, according to the content?

    <p>A division within the elite, full of distrust, deception, and violence. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What point does the author make about the relationship between politics and the public sphere?

    <p>Politics and the public sphere are inextricably linked and influence each other. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the author, how does the public sphere impact political action?

    <p>It sets the agenda for political debate and sets the limits of acceptable discourse. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does the text suggest spectatorship has on public events?

    <p>Spectatorship creates public events, events are public only to the extent that they arewatched by an audience. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author suggest about the relationship between fame and power in the political sphere?

    <p>Fame and power are often intertwined, but not always mutually dependent. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common motivation for participating in the public sphere?

    <p>To acquire fame and reputation alongside the conveyance of ideas. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a fundamental problem with the dominant approach to the public sphere?

    <p>It ignores how spectatorship affects participation in public events. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements best captures the central argument of this passage?

    <p>The public sphere is a complex and dynamic arena where political actors compete for attention and influence. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a frequent method of competition in politics and art?

    <p>Public denunciations and the commission of transgressions, especially scandals. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can we view a scandal's ability to shape moral norms?

    <p>Scandals solidify and transform moral norms in politics, art, and society. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the text imply about the nature of public events when information technology is involved?

    <p>The ratio of spectators to participants becomes more skewed with technology involved. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might people participate in public affairs temporarily?

    <p>Because they might be seeking to fill disappointments from their private lives. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the text say about the role of elites in scandals?

    <p>They tend to be the primary participants in scandal, with the masses as spectators. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an effect that scandals have on public life?

    <p>They have a tendency to contaminate public life with negativity and division. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the dominant approach to the public sphere struggle to acknowledge?

    <p>The inherent asymmetry between the few who gain attention and the numerous who give it. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary critique of the 'dominant approach' to understanding the public sphere?

    <p>It places emphasis on formal and moral structures that are not always reflected in real-world public events. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT identified as a limitation of the dominant approach to the public sphere?

    <p>It overemphasizes scandals and other non-normative public events. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The text argues that the 'public sphere' is often treated as a 'black box' by the dominant approach. What does this imply?

    <p>The focus is on the ideal communications within the space, rather than the space itself. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes a space with general access, according to the text?

    <p>A physical or virtual space that is open for anyone to enter or use. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the central argument about the relationship between public spaces and public-spirited action in the text?

    <p>There is no necessary relationship between public spaces and public-spirited action. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies the concept of representational access to the public sphere, as described in the text?

    <p>A person's private email being leaked and published on a national media outlet. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Sensory access to a public space means:

    <p>That a space's contents are available to one's senses. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does the text argue that defining the public sphere solely based on physical access is unduly restrictive?

    <p>It excludes spaces that primarily consist of images and words, like the media or open archives. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The text uses the example of a person's 'foibles being trumpeted out on national television' to illustrate which point about representational access?

    <p>Those who appear in public through their representations may not have consented to it. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The New York Times Op-Ed page is used to show that:

    <p>Public spaces with limited representational access can still be considered part of the public sphere. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'gatekeepers' refer to in the context of the New York Times Op-Ed page?

    <p>Individuals or groups who decide which opinion pieces are selected for publication. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to text, how do most people typically experience public spaces that receive attention from multitudes?

    <p>As spectators, observing the contents of the space. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The text says that one can access public governmental records through the internet from home. This is an example of:

    <p>Sensory access only. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where can civic speech of the dominant approach typically occur?

    <p>Spaces characterized by physical access, like town hall meetings or the Internet. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which action demonstrates the idea of making something public?

    <p>Divulging information in the open. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily defines a public space?

    <p>The general accessibility of its signs to spectators. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the concept of 'spectatorship' differ in public versus private spaces?

    <p>Spectatorship is welcomed in public spaces whilst being inappropriate in private ones where personal involvement is expected. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the text suggest about the relationship between appearances and reality within the public sphere?

    <p>In public we are judged primarily on our surface presentations, which don't always represent what we believe, and internal states are less important. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of how people are perceived in the public sphere?

    <p>People are typically seen as representatives of groups or as a type, especially when there is social distance. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The text argues that 'publicity' is NOT equivalent to which of these?

    <p>The serial transmission of information to a large number of receivers. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the text suggest about the connection between the public sphere and performance?

    <p>Public actions, since they are visible, can appear staged or performative, questioning authenticity. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key factor that dictates our actions in the public sphere?

    <p>Maintaining social etiquette and formality in order to not be misunderstood. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best defines 'publicity' according to the text?

    <p>A collective of strangers directing their attention to the same event or object. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between social distance and perceiving individuals as types in the public sphere?

    <p>The tendency to view individuals as types increases as social distance increases. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Based on the text, why do public spaces often require an element of formality and etiquette?

    <p>To avoid misunderstandings and manage impressions due to high information costs. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the text imply about the nature of virtues displayed in the public sphere?

    <p>All public virtues except courage can be questioned as a display. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does publicity affect events, according to this text?

    <p>Publicity can momentously impact the events themselves. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What semiotic principle governs the public sphere?

    <p>The governing principle of the public sphere is that its contents are subject to spectatorship. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does the public sphere often reduce individuals to appearances and types?

    <p>The reduction is a response to information scarcity and cognitive load in the public sphere, and an attempt to generalize. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of technology concerning access to public spaces?

    <p>Access to some public spaces may depend on technology. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of publicity on public spaces lacking a constant audience?

    <p>They can provoke spontaneous public awareness. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two general elements of publicity noted in the content?

    <p>Common knowledge and asymmetry. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can publicity negatively impact a group during a crisis?

    <p>It can lead to panic among members. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by 'fugacious' in the context of groups formed by events?

    <p>Short-lived and temporary. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does collective emotional entrainment play in publicity?

    <p>It enhances shared emotional experiences. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the content suggest about the relationship between print capitalism and nationalism?

    <p>Print capitalism has a role in fostering nationalism. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of publicity, what is meant by 'asymmetry'?

    <p>Unequal focus between the subject and the spectators. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect can publicity have on an individual's social status?

    <p>It enhances their importance depending on audience size. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can revealing internal divisions through publicity affect a group?

    <p>It undermines the existing group structure. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does collective action differ when influenced by publicity?

    <p>It can lead to increased conflict within the group. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'normatively heterogeneous' imply in the context of audience reaction to transgressions?

    <p>The audience's beliefs are diverse. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of 'common knowledge' in terms of publicity?

    <p>It enhances the shared understanding of a focus. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What issue arises from widespread publicity of transgressions against norms?

    <p>It leads to possible normalization of violations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Following September 11th, what action did the Bush administration take regarding presidential documents?

    <p>They authorized presidents to claim executive privilege over past and present documents. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is often achieved through controlling the visibility of groups?

    <p>Political domination (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In some Middle Eastern societies, the practice of purdah is primarily associated with which of the following?

    <p>Restricting women’s visibility to male strangers (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the text suggest about the relationship between political conflict and visibility?

    <p>Political conflict often defines whether something's visibility is a benefit or harm. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant effect of the Comstock Act of 1873?

    <p>It initiated widespread, state-enforced censorship of certain materials. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did sexual politics impact the public sphere in America since the 1970s?

    <p>It expanded the content of the public sphere with various actors politicizing sexual matters. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a key aim of feminists in publicizing issues of sex and sexuality?

    <p>To neuter the shame surrounding sexuality so that women could openly discuss their bodies. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What, according to the text, was a consequence of feminist views on interpersonal and domestic issues?

    <p>Interpersonal and domestic issues were categorized and subjected to public scrutiny. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the text suggest about the relationship between power and visibility for social groups?

    <p>It is complex and non-linear, where increased visibility doesn't always lead to more power. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant function of ‘coming out’ for gay and lesbian groups?

    <p>To normalize and legitimize homosexuality in the public sphere. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the text describe the impact of high visibility in central public spaces?

    <p>It normalizes what was previously considered deviant. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a factor contributing to the complexities of visibility?

    <p>The economic disparities of visibility. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might some women voice support for veiling practices?

    <p>Because it enables them to enter the public sphere while appearing virtuous. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the text describe the relationship between veiling and class in some contexts?

    <p>Veiling practices can be linked to the class domination of affluent men. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the text suggest about the motivations behind political actors clamoring for changes in visibility rules?

    <p>To secure access to spaces that enlist large publicity for themselves and their groups. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does the pressure to manage impressions have on presidents, according to the text?

    <p>It increases their risk of appearing inauthentic and deceitful. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the general trend of public confidence in the White House since 1972, as indicated in the provided text?

    <p>Generally low, fluctuating between the low teens and mid-30s, with a few exceptions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of the public sphere in relation to state regulation and conflict?

    <p>It is both an object of state control and a point of conflict. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between state governance and censorship, according to the text?

    <p>All governance includes some form of censorship to control potentially disruptive content in public spaces. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a reason provided in the text for the regulation of public spaces?

    <p>To promote the free and unregulated flow of all types of content. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the text describe the regulation of public spaces with extensive publicity, such as primetime television?

    <p>They are more heavily regulated to protect vulnerable people like children. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the text suggest about the role of utilitarianism in explaining censorship?

    <p>Utilitarianism is inadequate in fully accounting for censorship, as symbolic and emotional factors also play a role. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the symbolic prestige of a public space affect its regulation?

    <p>High-status spaces often have stricter content rules, whereas spaces with low prestige have a more lax regulation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the text describe the regulation of public spaces in nonliberal regimes, compared to liberal ones?

    <p>Nonliberal regimes tend to impose and exert greater control over public space regulations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the legal differences the text notes between the United States and the United Kingdom in regards to libel?

    <p>Public figures in the UK have more protection against libel than in the U.S. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the text describe the US's approach to racist speech in comparison to Germany's?

    <p>The US protects racist speech, while Germany does not in the same cases. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the significance of the New York Times publishing the Pentagon Papers in 1971, according to the text?

    <p>It was an example of how the courts do not always allow prior restraint on press, even with classified documents. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the provided text, how does wartime affect the expression of dissident speech?

    <p>Dissident speech is less tolerated during wartime. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor does the text suggest increases public deference to authority during times of military conflict?

    <p>A heightened need for security and stability. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the text indicate about the relationship between wartime and the privacy claims of public institutions?

    <p>Wartime increases deference to institutional authority, leading to better accommodations of their privacy claims. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main effect of modesty and reticence norms on political actors, according to the text?

    <p>They constrain political actors from freely changing the public sphere's content. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did public executions start to disappear in modern Europe?

    <p>Due to an attitudinal shift regarding the public display of suffering. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best represents a key change in Western modernization described in the text?

    <p>The reduction of death and suffering from public visibility. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What fundamental shift facilitated the rise of sexual politics in the American public sphere?

    <p>A weakening of established modesty and reticence norms. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What contributed to the sexual liberalization of the 1960s?

    <p>The confluence of a younger population, greater female labor participation, and expressive individualism. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a noted impact of the growing autonomy of sexual activity from the family unit?

    <p>A greater demand for sexual content in the media. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the effect of the Warren Court decisions on sexual material, as described in the text?

    <p>They expanded the scope of what was acceptable for general consumption. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the text highlight as a change regarding political sex scandals?

    <p>They became a more common focus of media and public attention. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the text suggest about the role of technological innovations in the sexualization of the public sphere?

    <p>They lowered publicization costs, increasing access to sexual content. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why was it only by the late 1970s that the majority of Americans no longer viewed premarital sex as wrong?

    <p>Owing to cultural changes and the weakening of traditional norms. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do shifts in audience attitudes impact visibility norms?

    <p>They are a prerequisite for any change in visibility norms. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What, according to the author, is a key method in which sexual politics operates within the public sphere?

    <p>Exploiting private lives to assert moral superiority. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best illustrates how the media landscape changed regarding sexual content, according to the text?

    <p>Mainstream media began to avoid using indirect language when discussing sex. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the public perception of punishment change with modernity, according to the text?

    <p>Public punishments became recognized as antithetical to the dignity of the punished. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the public sphere's content shift from the 1960's onward?

    <p>It became significantly more open to public conversations and displays of sexuality. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author suggest is a key element of the public sphere that is often overlooked by the dominant approach?

    <p>The essential spatial dimension and its semiotic nature. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the author distinguish their view of the public sphere from the dominant paradigm's?

    <p>By uncoupling the public sphere from civil society and viewing them as distinct areas. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a critical difference between taboos and other prohibitions?

    <p>Even a sensory encounter with the representation of a taboo can be considered hazardous. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the author relate the concept of 'taboo' to the idea of 'publicity'?

    <p>Taboos are intrinsically linked to publicity because they restrict the open enactment of actions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main point the author makes about the publicity of a transgression?

    <p>It can transform the meaning of the transgression, often making it appear more severe. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significance does the author give to the role of visibility and publicity in the production of social meaning?

    <p>They are essential but often ignored in conventional semiotic theories. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the passage suggest that political power operates through public spaces?

    <p>Political power determines what can be included and perceived as acceptable in public spaces. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following does the author identify as a tool in political conflict regarding public spaces?

    <p>Censorship as a mechanism to regulate public space. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the author's main critique of how sociologists often study language?

    <p>They often reduce language to ideology rather than concrete speech acts. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What could be a consequence of ignoring the 'visibility' aspect in studying the public sphere?

    <p>Underestimate the semiotic nature of events in public places. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best represents the author's position about the role of 'publicity' in constructing norms?

    <p>Publicity is foundational in understanding how norms arise and are reinforced. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key point the text makes about how 'meaning' is constructed in a public context?

    <p>Meaning can be significantly altered based on the publicity given to an act or sign. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When the author says that publicity introduces 'asymmetry', what does that imply?

    <p>Some actors have greater access to or influence over the public space than others. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author suggest about the relationship between 'censorship', 'politics', and 'public spaces'?

    <p>Struggles over what is allowed in public spaces, including censorship, are key elements of political conflict. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In referring to the example of the word 'nigger', what point is the author trying to illustrate about 'taboos'?

    <p>The intent of the speaker is irrelevant when a taboo is publicly breached. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of censorship is emphasized in understanding its effects on society?

    <p>Visibility and audibility (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author suggest should be the focus of future research related to visibility?

    <p>The role of visual access in public spheres (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following mechanisms is highlighted as a desire for further exploration in public life?

    <p>The relationship between visibility and individual empowerment (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of access to the public sphere does the author mention as needing more research?

    <p>Representational access forms (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one potential negative effect of visibility in public life noted in the content?

    <p>Victimization of individuals or groups (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following can lead to elevation in status for a scandalmonger?

    <p>Targeting a high-ranking individual with accusations (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the author characterize the relationship between scandal and political competition?

    <p>Political competition often encompasses forms of moral attacks, even when not explicitly labelled as scandals. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the author argue publicity plays in political scandal?

    <p>Publicity can amplify a scandal's impact, turning accepted practices into targets of opprobrium. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Based on the passage, how does the author view the role of transparency for political actors?

    <p>Transparency represents a complex dilemma for political actors, balancing the need for accountability with preserving a facade of integrity. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which potential drawback does the author identify regarding political actors' reliance on publicity?

    <p>It can create an environment where political actors are judged solely on their appearances. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential consequence of political actors striving for authenticity according to the author?

    <p>It can create a culture of cynicism and disbelief among the public. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the author portray the relationship between publicity and power in politics?

    <p>Publicity can either enhance or undermine a political actor's power, depending on its context. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the passage, what is a potential outcome of excessive transparency for political actors?

    <p>A heightened sense of public scrutiny and pressure on political actors to uphold high standards. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Based on the passage, what is a primary factor influencing the effectiveness of public performances by political actors?

    <p>The political actor's ability to anticipate and control the interpretation of their actions by various audiences (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the author's main point about the role of the public sphere in shaping political behavior?

    <p>The public sphere is a powerful force that shapes political actors' behavior and decision-making. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the author describe the significance of the American presidency in the context of the public sphere?

    <p>The American presidency has evolved over time, becoming increasingly powerful and influential in the public sphere. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the author's primary argument about the relationship between political actors and their audiences?

    <p>Political actors are often caught in a complex dynamic between seeking public approval and preserving their own interests. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the author define scandal in the context of this passage?

    <p>A public event that violates social norms and is widely condemned. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the author's central argument about the relationship between publicity and political actors?

    <p>Publicity is a powerful tool that can be used to either enhance or undermine political actors' power and reputation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the passage, what is a primary reason why political actors are often susceptible to scandal?

    <p>The highly public nature of politics makes their actions and behaviors subject to scrutiny and potential criticism. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author imply about the relationship between status and access to publicity?

    <p>Status is a prerequisite for gaining access to significant publicity channels. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant factor contributing to the limited visibility of the presidency in the 19th century?

    <p>The limited staff and the reporting of executive departments to Congress. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which event is NOT identified as a factor that led to the increased prominence of the presidency in the 20th century?

    <p>Increased isolationism. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a prevailing perception of the presidency before the late 1960s that resulted from high levels of positive publicity?

    <p>The moral integrity of the presidency was considered a public good. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What practice, frequently used by presidents after World War II, led to increased political tension?

    <p>The assertion of executive privilege to keep information from Congress. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the public's perception of the presidency change following the Vietnam War and Watergate?

    <p>The level of suspicion and distrust of wrongdoing increased. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a strategy adopted by presidents in response to declining public trust after the 1960s?

    <p>Increased investment in impression management and constant polling. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which action demonstrates the shift towards increased transparency and accountability of the presidency post-1970s?

    <p>The increased subjection of the White House to surveillance and subpoenas from independent councils. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect did heightened publicity have on presidential office over time, according to the content?

    <p>High publicity led to high expectations, eventually lowering approval ratings. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the text imply about the relationship between public confidence and presidential authority over information?

    <p>Presidents with high public confidence were better positioned to withhold executive information. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can be inferred about the constitutional basis for executive privilege?

    <p>The Constitution does not clearly define the scope or limits of executive confidentiality. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary purpose of the 'Government in the Sunshine Act' and 1978 ethics legislation?

    <p>To extend the requirement of transparency to all executive officials. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the media's portrayal of presidents' private lives change over time?

    <p>They became increasingly transparent, regularly reporting on private controversies. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factor significantly shifted public opinion toward increased scrutiny of the presidency in the late 1960s and early 1970s?

    <p>A burgeoning anti-authority ethos, energized by events such as Vietnam and Watergate. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is implied about the long-term effect of increased presidential publicity?

    <p>It created a lasting environment of high expectation and low trust in the office. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the content, what is a factor contributing to the rise in presidential polling?

    <p>The need to monitor the public image of the president in order to manage executive governance. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Public Sphere

    A space where public opinion forms and is accessible to all citizens. It's a conceptual space, not necessarily a physical one. Think of it as an environment where ideas are exchanged, debated, and discussed publicly.

    Idealistic Model of Public Sphere

    The dominant model of public sphere focuses on ideal qualities, such as open access and rational discourse, but ignores the physical space and its impact. It's more concerned with the concept of a public sphere than its actual existence.

    General Sensory Access Theory of Public Sphere

    This theory argues that the public sphere can be understood in terms of who has access to public spaces and how easily information can be shared and observed. It prioritizes physical space and its impact on communication.

    Publicity

    Publicity is the act of making something public, usually by promoting it or making it widely known. It's related to public sphere because it highlights how information is circulated and consumed.

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    Publicness

    Publicness refers to the quality of being open, accessible, and shared. It's about how easily information can be accessed and shared within a public sphere. It's a key aspect of the 'general sensory access' perspective.

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    Public Sphere Content Regulation

    This is the idea that the content of the public sphere is regulated, controlled, and manipulated. Different groups try to shape what is allowed and forbidden.

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    Transformation of the Public Sphere

    The study of how the public sphere evolves and changes. It's influenced by social structures, norms, and political actions, and how they shape public spaces and communication.

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    Politics and Public Sphere

    The public sphere can be used by politicians to gain support or to influence public opinion. It can also limit their actions, e.g., pressure from public protests.

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    Contentious Public

    A group of people actively engaged in social and political life.

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    Hegemonic Public

    Groups that hold a dominant position within the public sphere.

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    Inactivity in Public Life

    The reluctance or inability of individuals to participate in social and political matters.

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    Disappointment-Driven Public Engagement

    Disillusionment with private life can lead some individuals to engage in public activities.

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    Ignorance in Public Affairs

    Public participation requires knowledge, and ignorance is widespread.

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    Ignorance and Low Participation

    A lack of knowledge erodes interest in public affairs, leading to low levels of civic participation.

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    Asymmetry in Public Communication

    Public communication often involves limited, unequal participation.

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    Motivation for Public Attention

    Those seeking attention in the public sphere are driven by both conveying ideas and gaining recognition.

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    Skewed Spectator-Participant Ratio

    The ratio of spectators to participants is skewed in significant public events, especially with information technology.

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    Spectatorship and Participation

    The dominant approach to the public sphere overlooks the passive role of many individuals and its impact on public engagement.

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    Scandal

    An event that brings to light a transgression, real or perceived, to a disapproving audience.

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    Self-Interest in Scandals

    Scandals often involve self-interested individuals rather than civic debate.

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    Consequences of Scandals

    Scandals can be divisive, affecting public morale and discrediting institutions.

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    Elite Involvement in Scandals

    The elite are often involved in scandals, while the majority are passive spectators.

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    Counterpublics

    A perspective that criticizes Habermas's ideal public sphere, suggesting the formation of counterpublics by marginalized groups to challenge dominant narratives and assert their own voices.

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    Public Sphere and Citizenship

    Habermas's notion that the public sphere is inherently tied to the exercise of citizenship, implying that participation in public discourse is a form of civic responsibility.

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    Civicness in the Public Sphere

    The notion of the public sphere being dependent on the moral orientation and intent of its participants, emphasizing their commitment to civic engagement and concern for the common good.

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    Biases in Public Discourse

    The challenge to the idea of a purely objective public sphere, acknowledging the inherent biases and self-serving interests that often influence public discourse.

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    Public Sphere Bias Towards Left-Leaning Movements

    The critique of the public sphere's focus on left-leaning movements while neglecting non-progressive perspectives, highlighting the need for inclusivity and representation of diverse viewpoints.

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    Ideal of Egalitarian Participation

    The assumption that widespread and egalitarian participation is fundamental to the effectiveness of the public sphere, suggesting that everyone should be able to engage in discussions and have their voices heard.

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    Degeneration of the Public Sphere

    The argument that the public sphere has declined due to factors such as industrial capitalism, mass democracy, the welfare state, and sensationalized media, challenging the notion of a thriving public sphere.

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    Disruptive Voices in the Public Sphere

    The recognition of the public sphere as a space where diverse voices and perspectives interact, acknowledging the presence of dissenting opinions, conflict, and even disruptive behavior.

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    Voting vs. Public Sphere Participation

    The distinction between the public sphere as a space for collective discourse and the more individualistic act of voting, questioning the equating of public participation with citizenship.

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    Beyond Citizenship in Public Sphere Studies

    The critique of the public sphere literature for focusing exclusively on the public sphere as a site of citizenship, neglecting the broader scope of public discourse that extends beyond political matters.

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    Links Between Civil Society and Institutional Politics

    The blurring of boundaries between actors in civil society and politicians, highlighting the interconnectedness and often overlapping interests between these groups.

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    Passive Audience in the Public Sphere

    The critique of the public sphere literature for assuming a vibrant and engaged public participation, overlooking the reality of a passive audience and unequal access to the public sphere

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    Exclusionary Public Sphere

    The concept that the public sphere, despite its ideal of open and egalitarian participation, often fails to fully deliver on its promise due to systemic power dynamics and social inequalities.

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    Dominant Approach to Public Sphere

    The dominant approach to understanding the public sphere focuses on communication that is hard to establish, constitutes a tiny fraction of significant public events, and is not qualitatively different from institutional political communication.

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    Idealized Public Sphere

    A space for communication that is often idealized as egalitarian and allows for open participation and discussion.

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    Black Box of the Public Sphere

    The dominant approach to the public sphere focuses on an idealized space where civic communication takes place. However, the actual nature of this space, or how it functions, is not fully examined.

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    Public Sphere as Accessible Spaces

    Everyday spaces, both physical and virtual, that are accessible to the public, regardless of the type of communication taking place.

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    Public Spaces and Behavior

    Public spaces are not inherently associated with civic or public-spirited behavior. Selfish and elite behavior can occur in these spaces.

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    Physical Access

    The physical presence of individuals in a public space, like walking down a street.

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    Representational Access

    The appearance of names, images, sounds, or words in a public space, like a news article or government records.

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    Sensory Access

    The ability to sense and perceive the contents of a public space, such as reading a newspaper or watching television.

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    Public Sphere Beyond Physical Presence

    The public sphere is not limited to spaces that allow physical access, but also includes spaces where information is accessible through representations, such as online archives or media.

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    Forced Public Sphere

    The act of being forced or compelled to appear in the public sphere, even without one's consent, like the exposure of personal details in the media.

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    Restricted Public Sphere

    Access to the public sphere can be heavily restricted, even in spaces that claim to be open to everyone, such as limited opportunities for publishing in prestigious newspapers.

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    Public Sphere as Spectatorship

    Many public spaces are primarily accessed as spectators, observing events or information without actively participating, like watching television or reading news online.

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    Remote Access to the Public Sphere

    The public sphere can be accessed from the privacy of one's home through mediums like television, internet, or window views.

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    Public Sphere as Access and Interpretation

    The public sphere is not just about what happens in public spaces, but also about how information and representations are accessed and interpreted.

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    Meaning and Prestige in Public Sphere Regulation

    The idea that the public sphere is shaped by the meanings and importance assigned to different public spaces, leading to different levels of regulation.

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    Utilitarianism in Public Sphere Regulation

    The censorship of content in the public sphere based on the potential harm it could cause to specific audiences.

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    General Sensory Access Theory

    The idea that the public sphere is not just a conceptual space but also a network of physical spaces, where access to information and participation in dialogue are influenced by who has control over these spaces.

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    Symbolic Censorship

    Focusing on the emotional or symbolic impact of censorship, beyond just its practical effects.

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    Collective Effects of Publicity

    The effect of publicity on individuals and groups, including how it creates and strengthens social bonds, influences collective actions, and alters social status.

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    Common Knowledge

    When everyone knows that everyone knows that everyone knows... a shared understanding of a situation, often amplified by publicity.

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    Asymmetry in Publicity

    The difference in power and visibility between someone who is the focus of attention and those observing them.

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    Publicity and Group Formation

    Publicity can either create new groups by bringing individuals together through shared attention or strengthen existing groups by amplifying their shared experiences.

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    Contingent Public

    When events, like accidents or conflicts, create a temporary public, uniting people by shared experience and attention.

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    Semiotics of Visibility

    Publicity can make social structures more visible and influence how people perceive them. It can highlight inequalities, promote conformity, and even lead to social change.

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    Status Effects of Publicity

    The power of publicity to increase or decrease someone's social standing, often by turning them into the focus of attention.

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    Assurance game

    A situation where a group will only act if everyone else in the group acts too, often triggered by shared knowledge about a common goal.

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    Collective Action and Publicity

    Publicity can prompt collective actions, but these actions aren't always beneficial. For example, panic can arise from shared fear, leading to harmful consequences.

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    Publicity and Collective Uncertainty

    Publicity can reveal and amplify fears and uncertainties within a group, potentially leading to a self-defeating collective stance.

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    Publicity and Group Division

    When the revelation of internal divisions within a group due to publicity can weaken the group's cohesion and norms.

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    Publicity and Normalization of Transgression

    Publicity can normalize transgressions if they are repeated with significant publicity and impunity, especially if the audience is diverse in their values.

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    General Sensory Access

    Signs, symbols, and information that are accessible to anyone in the public sphere, regardless of their relationship to each other or to the space itself.

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    Spectatorship in the Public Sphere

    The primary governing principle shaping the public sphere. It emphasizes the role of the observer or spectator who does not necessarily need to be actively involved in what they are witnessing.

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    Public Sphere as a Realm of Appearances

    The public sphere is a realm of appearances. Individuals are judged primarily based on their outward presentation, rather than their internal thoughts or motivations.

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    Synecdoche and Public Sphere

    People appearing in the public sphere often represent or symbolize broader groups, categories, or types. This tendency is more pronounced when social distance exists between those appearing and observing.

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    Public

    A collection of strangers who become aware of each other by observing the same thing in the public sphere, whether it's an event, a piece of media, or even a shared experience.

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    Inauthenticity in the Public Sphere

    The public sphere is inherently superficial, reducing individuals to appearances and types. This can create a sense of inauthenticity as actions become performances for an audience.

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    Semiotic Nature of the Public Sphere

    The public sphere is a space of signs and symbols, requiring a semiotic approach to understand how meaning is created and communicated.

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    Public Sphere Beyond Physical Spaces

    Public spaces are not limited to physical locations. Virtual spaces like the internet can also function as public spheres, as long as they meet the criteria of general visibility and audibility.

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    Visibility and Audibility in Public Sphere

    The public sphere is not just about civic or civil discourse. Understanding the dynamics of visibility and audibility is essential to studying communication within the public sphere, regardless of its content.

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    Physical Public Spaces and Semiotics

    Physical public spaces, like streets, allow for physical presence, but they inevitably generate semiotic phenomena. These spaces are not designed for signs, but they can't avoid creating them.

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    Public Spaces Designed for Signs

    Public spaces designed specifically for the transmission of signs, like museums or online platforms, exist primarily to provide content to strangers with sensory access.

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    Public Sphere and Action for Strangers

    Public spaces can serve as spaces for action and interaction, geared toward the welfare of strangers. The public sphere requires a willingness to engage with others outside of close relationships.

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    Dual Nature of the Public Sphere

    The public sphere can both foster civility and create opportunities for falsification. It can encourage people to be more altruistic and behave better in public, but it also allows individuals to present a carefully curated version of themselves.

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    Public Recognition as an Asset

    Recognition in public is a valuable asset, comparable to other forms of capital, like money, power, or social status. It's about being noticed and acknowledged by others.

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    Publicity: A Double-Edged Sword

    Publicity is a double-edged sword. It can make you famous but also expose you to scrutiny and criticism. This makes it a risky but potentially rewarding tool for political actors.

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    What is Publicity?

    The act of making something public and widely known, often through promotion. It's about broadcasting information and getting widespread attention.

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    Publicity for Communication and Influence

    Publicity can be used to communicate ideas and messages to a large audience, but political actors often use it strategically to gain attention and influence public opinion.

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    Political Actors and Public Image

    Political actors often try to create a positive public image to gain support and legitimacy by presenting themselves as courageous, selfless, or representing certain ideals.

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    Publicity for Power and Influence

    Publicity can be used to reinforce power and influence, by showcasing acts of power and strength to a wider audience. Think of parades, grand displays, or public pronouncements.

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    Publicity for Political Attacks

    Publicity can be used to attack and undermine opponents, by exposing their flaws or misdeeds to raise public awareness and erode their support.

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    Publicity's Influence on Public Opinion

    Publicity can be used to shape public opinion and influence behaviors, by highlighting certain ideas or events and influencing public perception.

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    Political Actors Seek Fame

    Political actors often try to achieve fame and recognition within the public sphere, seeking to become well-known and influential figures.

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    Publicity as a Resource for Political Actors

    Publicity can help political actors gain support through building public image, communicating ideas, and influencing public opinion. It's a powerful tool, but it can be misused.

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    Publicity as a Constraint for Political Actors

    Publicity can be a constraint for political actors, as it can expose vulnerabilities and lead to scrutiny, criticism, and potential backlash from the public.

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    Public Sphere as a Platform for Political Action

    The public sphere is not only influenced by political actions, but also serves as a platform for political action, where ideas are debated, movements are formed, and public pressure can influence political decisions.

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    Performance in Public

    The act of performing in public, whether through speeches, actions, or events, to gain attention, shape opinion, or reinforce power.

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    Scandalmongering

    The use of scandal to gain recognition or elevate one's status.

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    Provocative Transgressions

    Public actions intended to provoke a reaction or challenge the status quo.

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    Tarnishing Reputation

    The process of using publicity to damage someone's reputation and credibility through accusations or revelations of wrongdoing.

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    Discrimination by Association

    The practice of attacking a group or individual by associating them with a specific category or membership.

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    Visibility

    The extent to which information about a person or event is widely known and accessible to the public.

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    Publicity's Double-Edged Sword

    The inherent paradox of publicity for political actors, where it can both enhance and undermine their power and status.

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    Appearance as Judgement

    The tendency for political actors to be judged based on their public image and appearances, regardless of their true intentions.

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    Maintaining Public Trust

    The need for political actors to maintain an image of integrity and trustworthiness, as a lack of transparency can erode public trust.

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    Challenges of Diverse Audiences

    The difficulty for political actors to control the meaning of their words and actions in a large and diverse public sphere, leading to vagueness and ambiguity in their communication.

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    Transparency in the Public Sphere

    The increased transparency and scrutiny faced by political actors as their activities become more public and visible.

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    The Illusion of Authenticity

    The need for political actors to appear genuine and authentic, despite the fact that authenticity itself is a constructed image and difficult to maintain.

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    Spectacle and Heroism

    The potential for public spectacle, such as a political scandal, to transform an individual from a villain into a hero through their actions or public perception.

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    The Burden of High Expectations

    The impact of high visibility and public expectations on political actors, which can lead to dissatisfaction and distrust if they fail to meet those expectations.

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    The Early American Presidency

    The role of American presidency as a relatively weak office until the early 20th century, where governance was primarily state-based and federal government was largely defined by patronage politics.

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    Censorship

    The act, process, or practice of restricting access to information or expression, especially through censorship.

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    Semiotics

    The study of signs and symbols, including their meanings and how they are used in communication.

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    Rise of the Presidency in the 20th Century

    The president's power and influence grew significantly during the 20th century, particularly after the New Deal and the Cold War, becoming a more prominent and powerful figure in American politics.

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    Deferential Press Coverage of Presidents

    As the power of the president increased, the press became increasingly deferential, often portraying presidents in a flattering light, even overlooking their personal failings.

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    High Expectations and the Presidency

    The presidency's growing public visibility during the 20th century led to higher expectations from the public, which eventually created tension between public perception and the reality of the presidency.

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    Impression Management and Polling

    Presidents increasingly relied on public image management and polling to maintain a positive public perception, as transparency became a hallmark of presidential conduct.

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    Increased Scrutiny and Accountability of the Presidency

    The presidency's newfound prominence led to heightened scrutiny, with increased transparency and accountability, including congressional oversight and investigations into presidential actions.

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    The Presidency as Subject to Public Opinion

    As the presidency grew in power and public visibility, it became increasingly subject to public opinion, which could influence presidential decisions and actions.

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    Executive Privilege and Public Scrutiny

    The president's ability to withhold information from Congress, known as executive privilege, became more contentious as more executive actions were made subject to public and Congressional scrutiny.

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    Declining Public Trust in Government

    The public's perception of presidents shifted dramatically as the country experienced major events like Vietnam and Watergate, leading to a decline in public trust in government officials.

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    Expansion of Presidential Staff for Media Relations

    The growth of the president's staff focused on media relations, reflecting the increasing importance of managing public perception during the presidency.

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    The Presidency as Focus of Public Attention

    The president's prominence during the 20th century made the office a major focus of public attention, with a significant portion of news coverage devoted to the president.

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    Presidential Image Control

    Presidents often attempted to control their image, creating a favorable narrative for themselves and their actions.

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    Scrutiny of the President's Private Life

    The public's scrutiny of the presidency extended to the president's private life, which was increasingly subject to investigation and scrutiny.

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    Executive Privilege as a Tool for Concealment

    The president's use of executive privilege, a power to withhold information from Congress, was often seen as a way to conceal wrongdoing or protect political interests.

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    The President as Unifying Figure and Target of Scrutiny

    The presidency's growing prominence in American politics made the incumbent a unifying figure for the nation, but also subject to intense public pressure and scrutiny.

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    President's Power and Modernization

    The president's power and influence during the 20th century were rooted in the changing nature of American society, including economic and administrative modernization.

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    Visibility as Power

    The idea that controlling what is visible to the public can be a form of power, often used to suppress or promote certain groups or ideas.

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    Veiling in Public Sphere

    The practice of using veiling to regulate women's visibility in public, often linked to cultural and religious norms in some Muslim-majority societies. It can be seen as both a protective measure and a form of social control.

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    Indirect Harms in Public Sphere

    The idea that the more indirect and subtle the harm of something in the public sphere, the more difficult it is to regulate it, leading to political conflict.

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    Struggles for Attention

    The process of gaining attention and visibility within the public sphere, often a central part of contemporary identity politics. Groups seek to be seen, heard, and acknowledged for their experiences and perspectives.

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    Visibility & Marginalized Groups

    The idea that increasing visibility in the public sphere can sometimes backfire, leading to increased prejudice and discrimination against already marginalized groups.

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    Conflict over Visibility

    The ongoing struggle to determine what should and should not be visible or audible in public spaces. This involves debates about acceptable language, images, and behaviors.

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    Challenging Privacy Norms

    The idea that privacy has become increasingly challenged in the public sphere, especially with regards to personal lives and sexual matters. This can be seen in the rise of public debates about sex, gender, and sexuality.

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    Personal is Political

    The argument that personal experiences and domestic issues are not separate from public matters. This challenges the idea that private life is off-limits from public scrutiny.

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    Coming Out

    The process of openly disclosing one's sexual orientation in public, often used as a tool to promote acceptance and challenge stigma.

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    Scandal in Public Sphere

    An act or event that reveals wrongdoing, a transgression, or a scandal, often exposing individuals or institutions to public scrutiny.

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    Public's Right to Know

    The emphasis on the public's right to know, even if it infringes on individual privacy, often seen in debates about freedom of the press and the public's right to information.

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    Public Sphere Bias

    The claim that the public sphere often prioritizes left-leaning movements and perspectives, potentially neglecting other viewpoints and leading to a lack of diversity and representation.

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    Egalitarian Participation

    The idea that participation in the public sphere should be widespread and equal, allowing for everyone to have their voices heard and contribute to public discourse.

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    Modesty Norm

    The practice of refraining from discussing private or intimate matters in public, particularly those related to sex and personal relationships. It refers to a social norm that shapes what is considered acceptable or appropriate for public discussion.

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    Reticence Norm

    A social norm that emphasizes the importance of being discreet and reserved in public discourse, particularly on sensitive topics like sex and violence. It is often intertwined with modesty norms and influences the kinds of information people are willing to share.

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    Sexualization of the Public Sphere

    The process by which the public sphere becomes increasingly saturated with sexual content. This can involve changes in media, entertainment, and social norms, leading to a broader acceptance of explicit material.

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    Sexual Politics

    The use of sexual issues and identities to advance political agendas or make claims about morality and social values. Examples include using someone's sexual orientation for political gain or emphasizing personal morality in political campaigns.

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    Sexual Liberalization of the 1960s

    A period of significant changes in social norms and attitudes towards sexuality in the 1960s. This included shifts in sexual behavior, the rise of the sexual revolution, and the changing role of women in society, paving the way for the sexualization of the public sphere.

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    Publicization

    The process of taking something that was once considered private or taboo and making it public, often with the intention of influencing public opinion or changing social norms. This can be applied to personal information, political scandals, or even personal experiences.

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    Elimination of Suffering from Public Sphere

    The gradual elimination of death, violence, and pain from public spaces, particularly those with high visibility. This shift in attitudes can be seen in the decline of public executions and the movement of cemeteries to the outskirts of cities.

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    Visibility Norms Change

    The process by which changing attitudes and social norms influence the visibility of certain issues or information in public spaces. This involves shifts in what is considered acceptable or appropriate to discuss publicly.

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    Semiotic Theory of Public Sphere

    This theory highlights the crucial role of 'visibility' and 'publicity' in shaping social meanings and perceptions.

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    Study Notes

    Public Sphere: A Realistic Theory

    • The public sphere is a key concept in social science, crucial for liberal democracy. However, existing theories are deemed idealistic and normatively focused, neglecting the spatial aspect.

    Limitations of Dominant Models

    • Existing models, stemming from Habermas (1997, 1989), emphasize discursive civicness among citizens in public spaces.
    • These models focus on idealized spaces for debate, assuming widespread, egalitarian participation and civic-mindedness.
    • Critiques include questioning the models' historical accuracy, class bias, and ignoring the role of identities formed through public debates (Calhoun 1992), gendered aspects of public action (Elshtain 1981, Pateman 1983, Ryan 1990), and the presence of contentious "counterpublics" (Eley 1992, Farge 1992, Fraser 1992, Landes 1988, Negt and Kluge 1993, Warner 1990).

    Conditions of Civicness/Civility

    • The dominant approach views the public sphere as contingent on the morality of participants.
    • Establishing civic-mindedness objectively is difficult. Public displays often reflect biases, focusing on left-leaning movements.
    • Even displays of purported civic engagement can conceal self-serving motivations.

    Conflation of Public Sphere with Citizenship

    • The dominant approach incorrectly identifies the public sphere as the exclusive site of citizenship.
    • The act of voting, a defining act of citizenship, is individual and private.
    • Public discussions often lack relevance to citizenship, and discussions by civil society actors often mirror those of politicians.

    Ideal of Widespread & Egalitarian Participation

    • The dominant approach envisions the public sphere as an engaged, participatory community.
    • In reality, widespread participation is infrequent. Many people are passive spectators.
    • Participation is often motivated by personal frustrations, not inherent civic interest. Public issues require knowledge; many citizens lack this knowledge. (e.g., awareness of USSR not being a member of NATO in 1964.)

    Scandal and Dominant Approach

    • The dominant approach struggles to explain pivotal public events like scandals, which are often characterized by self-interest, division, controversy, and a sharp spectator-participant divide.
    • Scandals contaminate public life and reveal that most public events do not conform to the idealized values.

    Alternative Approach: General Sensory Access

    • A realistic approach to the public sphere emphasizes general sensory access to a space, not just specific types of communication.
    • Public spaces are defined by their potential for general visibility or audibility, including physical, representational, and sensory access.
    • Access does not inherently require (or guarantee) civic, civil debates.

    Semiotics of General Visibility

    • The public sphere is a space of signs, and its theory must be semiotic.
    • Public spaces vary by primary functions (e.g., streets vs. museums) and access methods.
    • Key principles include spectatorship (objectivity, distance), appearances (relying on impressions and appearances), and representing groups (reducing individuals to types). Public action appears as performance.

    Publicity

    • Publicity is not mere communication but attention on a focus by a public (strangers).
    • Public spaces can be publicized, but others are not, depending on the interest.
    • Publicity has two interdependent elements: common knowledge and asymmetry between the focus and spectators.

    Collective Effects of Publicity

    • Publicity can create, strengthen, or weaken groups. It can affect emotional experiences and lead to collective action (such as panic), or reveal implicit conflicts.
    • Publicity can also alter social standing of individuals.

    Publicity as a Resource/Constraint for Political Actors

    • Political actors use publicity for various purposes, including communicating ideas, gaining recognition, building support.
    • Publicity can be a powerful resource but is also a powerful constraint, leading to transparency and expectations. This can erode trust and potentially lead to accusations of inauthenticity

    Case of American Presidents

    • The presidency's relationship to the public sphere has evolved from one of relative obscurity to significant public attention.
    • Early presidents were less visible, but expanded powers led to heightened publicity, with associated visibility rules and expectations.
    • Increased scrutiny and transparency emerged with factors like Vietnam and Watergate, leading to complexities in managing appearances and public trust.

    Politics of the Public Sphere

    • States regulate content and access to public spaces.
    • Political conflict frequently revolves around visibility rules.
    • Publicity can strengthen or weaken norms, and norms shape political action.

    Visibility Norms and Political Action

    • Visibility and reticence norms constrain political action.
    • Norms evolve (e.g., attitudes toward sexuality and public expression) due to cultural changes and organizational transformations.

    Conclusion

    • The proposed theory offers a more nuanced understanding of the public sphere through general sensory access.
    • It emphasizes the roles of visibility, publicity, and their constraints on political actors, social groups, and institutions.
    • Future research should consider the interplay of visibility and taboos, the dynamics of general audibility, and implications for broader cultural understanding and symbolic politics.

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    This quiz explores critical perspectives on the public sphere, particularly through the lens of Charles Tilly and Habermas. It examines the deficiencies in conventional approaches, the relationship between politics and public spaces, and the implications of public discourse on political behavior.

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