A Virtuous Circle: Political Communications in Postindustrial Societies (Communication, Society and Politics) - Softcover

Norris, Pippa

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521793645 ISBN 13: 9780521793643

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2000

Synopsis

Is the process of political communications by the news media and by parties responsible for civic malaise? A Virtuous Circle sets out to challenge the conventional wisdom that it is. Based on a comparative examination of the role of the news media and parties in postindustrial societies, this study argues that rather than mistakenly "blaming the messenger" we need to understand and confront more deep-rooted flaws in the systems of representative democracy.

About this title

Book Description:

Is the process of political communications by the news media and by parties responsible for civic malaise? A Virtuous Circle sets out to challenge and critique the conventional wisdom. Based on a comparative examination of the role of the news media and parties in 29 postindustrial societies, focusing in particular on Western Europe and the United States, this study argues that rather than mistakenly 'blaming the messenger' we need to understand and confront more deep-rooted flaws in systems of representative democracy.

Review:

"Pippa Norris takes on the received wisdom about media effects and media-induced political malaise and concludes that media critics got it backwards. Blaming television and now the Internet is just picking an easy target. Norrisa careful analysis reveals a more complex evolution of behavioral and institutional change in the US and Europe. This important and controversial book may not end the debate, but it will significantly advance our understanding of how changing media and changing politics in advanced industrial societies are intertwined." - W. Russell Neuman, University of Pennsylvania

"This brilliantly argued, fact-filled book is a major contribution to the heated debate about mass media impact on civic life. Pippa Norris explodes pervasive myths with a powerful array of well-chosen data from Europe and the U.S. This may well be the death knell for media malaise theories and confirmation that ample use of news media remains a prescription for civic health." - Doris Graber, University of Illinois/Chicago

"This book boldly challenges much of the existing literature on the mediaas impact on political attitudes. While many scholars may not agree with the conclusions, this well written study opens up a major controversy and furthers the important critical debate on the mediaas political impact." - Holli A. Semetko, University of Amsterdam Professor of Audience and Public Opinion Research

"A Virtuous Circle is praiseworthy....This is a significant book. It is, to be sure, an academic's book." Columbia Journalism Review

"A clear-headed assessment of a central issue in political communication, and the volume should stand as the most comprehensive and thoughtful analysis of the data and phenomenon to date." Political Communication

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0521793645
• ISBN 13: 9780521793643
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 420