Introduction to Political Communication PDF

## Distinguishing Between Propaganda and Political Communication * **Propaganda:** Involves manipulating large masses of people by a small group of individuals. * **Political communication:** Involves informed and critical public opinion that encourages citizen participation. ## Habermas' Sphe...

## Distinguishing Between Propaganda and Political Communication * **Propaganda:** Involves manipulating large masses of people by a small group of individuals. * **Political communication:** Involves informed and critical public opinion that encourages citizen participation. ## Habermas' Spheres of Public Opinion * **Cultural Sphere:** Discusses ideas and literature related to art. It is not necessarily related to democracy or politics. * **Political Sphere:** Focuses on political issues and democracy. ## Market of Ideas * Citizens can form their own opinions by accessing a variety of information sources and exposing themselves to different perspectives. ## Habermas' Views on the Society of Mass Media * Salons and cafes are no longer considered as venues for public dialogues. * Commodification of media has suppressed its democratic purpose, leading to a pessimistic view of the modern society. * Frankfurt School critics believe contemporary media hinders critical thinking and information distribution for citizens. ### Meyrowitz' counter-argument * Modern media provides a wider public space, allowing for a broader range of citizen participation, including those who are not literate. ## Civil Society * Civil society plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion, advocating for issues such as peace, nuclear energy, the third world, and feminism. * It facilitates discussions among intellectuals, smaller groups, and organizations. ## Model of Political Communication * **Publicistic-Dialogic Model:** Explains the relationship between political actors (institutions, media, citizens) in the traditional public space. ### Political Actors * **Political Institutions:** Includes government, Parliament, judiciary, and the head of state. * **Mass Media:** Covers television, radio, press, internet, books, and cinema. * **Citizens/Electors:** Difficult to define but are essential for political interaction and opinion formation. ## The Mediatic Model * Includes information exchange between political actors and citizens within a mediatic framework. * Politics is considered product of competition among actors in the mediated public space. * The role of media goes beyond just information dissemination; it shapes the communication process. ## Changes in Political Communication * Television influenced political life, impacting institutions, interactions, public opinion, and communication. ### Two Schools of Thought * **Competitive and Market-Driven:** Media is considered an arena for competition and interaction between political actors. * **Public Democracy:** Media plays a central role in democratic processes, including representation and deliberation. ## Communication Flows * **From the Political System to the Media:** Involves disseminating information, influencing media, and controlling narratives. * **From the Political System to the Citizen:** Includes regulation, news management, and information sharing. * **From the Citizen to the Political System:** Involves voting, public debate, and direct interaction. * **From the Media to the Political System:** Involves reporting, critiques, and information dissemination. * **From the Media to the Citizen:** Includes information, biased reporting, and political advertising. * **From the Citizen to the Media:** Involves feedback, participation, and opinion sharing. ## Definition of Political Communication * The exchange of information between political actors, media, and citizens. * A complex process that involves both political and communicative aspects. ### Different Perspectives * **Wolton:** Emphasizes the role of political discourse and the importance of various perspectives. * **Nimmo and Swanson:** Highlight the diversity of approaches to studying political communication. * **Gerstle:** Focuses on the use of communication techniques in political campaigns. ## Origins and Development of Political Communication * Emerged in the 1950s in the United States. * Area of study has expanded to include rhetoric, voting behavior, media analysis, and government-media relationships. * Recent research focuses on communication technologies, rhetoric, and citizens' political engagement. ## European Developments * Progress in the field has been marked by: * **Moving beyond Lazarsfeld's limited effects theory.** * **Focusing on the holistic perspective of the communication process.** * **Adopting a more integrated approach to analyze political communication.** ### Three Stages of Political Communication * **Post-War Era (1945-1950s):** Dominated by political parties and strong messages. * **1960s to 1980s:** Marked by the rise of television and declining party loyalty. * **1990s to Present:** Characterized by media abundance, increased professionalization, and the growth of infotainment. ## Mediatization of Politics * A process where media plays a central role in the political system, intertwining with political actors and shaping public opinion. * It's a complex process that involves both a shift in the communication channels and a change in the content of political discourse. * It transforms the communication process itself, leading to a mediatization of society as a whole.