Political communication systems in advanced industrial democracies are in a state of flux. The traditional political communication system, with its limited and regulated media channels, stable patterns of media consumption, and identifiable party loyalty, which characterized much of the twentieth century, is giving way to one that is less ordered and structured. This book provides an accessible and comprehensive account of how governments, political parties, established media organizations and citizen audiences, in the US and the UK, are adapting to this systemic change.

Against the background of audience fragmentation and widening social and political divisions, James Stanyer provides a critical appraisal of the evolving relationship of political communicators and their audience. He argues that such divisions influence citizen communicative engagement and are increasingly exacerbated by the strategic activities of political advocates and media organizations. Modern Political Communication is required reading for anyone who wants a fuller understanding of the transformation of political communication and the repercussions for democracy.

About the Author
James Stanyer, Department of Social Sciences, Loughborough University

Reviews
"Modern Political Communication addresses a great need in the political communication literature. While others frequently call for more scholarship that incorporates a comparative approach, this book delivers an insightful multinational analysis of political communication systems and practices. The writing is clear and clever. Perhaps the greatest strength of this volume is the author's ability to incorporate both US and European political science and communication studies. Furthermore, Stanyer possesses the unusual talent of weaving both humanistic and social scientific research into a coherent and complimentary narrative. This book deserves the attention of all who are interested in political communication."

Mitchell S. McKinney, University of Missouri

"Modern Political Communication spans the systemic and individual levels to examine how British and American politics, by focusing on market-style analysis of the citizen-audience member and the campaigner-political actor, reproduces existing inequalities and exclusions. What distinguishes the book is the broad vista James Stanyer provides of communication and politics in late modernity."

Kevin G. Barnhurst, University of Illinois at Chicago

"Across a range of different values, structures, technologies and practices "political communication" is rapidly changing, indeed quite what this term itself might now mean is open to question. One of the strengths of Stanyer's book is his attempt to construct a broad picture of the significance and complexity of what is happening without losing focus on empirical detail."

John Corner, University of Liverpool

Book Information
ISBN 9780745627984
Author James Stanyer
Format Paperback
Page Count 240
Imprint Polity Press
Publisher John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Weight(grams) 417g
Dimensions(mm) 248mm * 175mm * 18mm