Summary

This text critically explores the relationship between politics, the media and democracy in the United Kingdom, America and other contemporary societies. Brian McNair examines how politicians, trade unions, pressure groups and terrorist organizations make use of the media. Separate chapters look at political media and their effects, the work of political advertising, marketing and public relations, and the communicative practices of organizations at all levels, from grass-root-campaigning through to governments and international bodies. This new edition is revised and updated and draws on a range of late-1990s examples to show how politicians and political groups communicate: from the rise of new Labour under Tony Blair and the failure of the Conservative general election strategy in 1997; the scandals surrounding the Clinton presidency and the perceived dumbing down of American media; the Good Friday peace agreement in Northern Ireland and the shift in tactics by para-military organizations; and the liberalizing power of the Internet and concerns about threats to the standards of democracy.