Communicating Politics Engaging the Public in Democratic Life

Half of our eligible citizens fail to cast a presidential ballot and many more than half routinely ignore state and local elections. Does this phenomenon point to a crisis of democracy or does such behavior simply reflect indifference – or even contentment – among the public? Should we be alarmed that so many of our citizens seem disinterested and unwilling to participate in the various activities and forms of association that constitute civic life? If we are concerned by such matters, what might be done to reengage those who are seemingly disengaged? This book explores these questions and examines the well being of our civic condition at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Grounded in a communication perspective, we view the fundamental nature of a democracy as that of a civic dialogue – an ongoing conversation between our elected leaders or political candidates and the citizens they lead or wish to lead. Accordingly, the studies presented in this volume examine our civic sphere and the electoral process as a communicative interaction between elected officials, political candidates, the media, and citizens.

The Editors: Mitchell S. McKinney received his Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Kansas. He is Assistant Professor of Communication at the University of Missouri, Columbia.
Lynda Lee Kaid received her Ph.D. in Communication from the Southern Illinois University. She is Professor of Telecommunication and Senior Associate Dean of the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida.
Dianne G. Bystrom received her Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Oklahoma. She is Director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University.
Diana B. Carlin received her Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Nebraska. She is Dean of the Graduate School and International Programs and Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Kansas.