What is….. Political Communication???

Today’s Lecture Key definitions Some context Models of political communication

Key definitions

Some context

Models of political communication

What is politics? The process of decision making that accommodates the requirements of all those affected by those decisions A social process determined by the nature of society

The process of decision making that accommodates the requirements of all those affected by those decisions

A social process determined by the nature of society

What is Democracy Direct translation is power of the people Works at some levels Most democracies are based on some form of representation

Direct translation is power of the people

Works at some levels

Most democracies are based on some form of representation

Why is communication so important? To link represented and representatives Aids decision making that serves societies’ best interests To explain and inform about decisions Ongoing process of horizontal and vertical discussion and feedback creates social cohesion around legitimate governance

To link represented and representatives

Aids decision making that serves societies’ best interests

To explain and inform about decisions

Ongoing process of horizontal and vertical discussion and feedback creates social cohesion around legitimate governance

It is not all about distortion It is far more than spin And anyway what do we really mean by the term spin ?

It is not all about distortion It is far more than spin And anyway what do we really mean by the term spin ? Who’s this guy? And why is he relevant?

Political communication is… “ crucial for the building of a society where the state and its people feel they are connected” [helps] gain legitimacy among and compliance from the people” Based on an understanding of the sender, media and receiver Read: Lilleker, 2005, p. 1-17

“ crucial for the building of a society where the state and its people feel they are connected”

[helps] gain legitimacy among and compliance from the people”

Based on an understanding of the sender, media and receiver

Read: Lilleker, 2005, p. 1-17

But… Electoral political organisations and actors communicate… So do non-electoral organisations and actors The media has a large amount of input We can also add our opinions and experiences A HIGHLY COMPLEX ENVIRONMENT!

Electoral political organisations and actors communicate…

So do non-electoral organisations and actors

The media has a large amount of input

We can also add our opinions and experiences

A HIGHLY COMPLEX ENVIRONMENT!

An unusual context Key actors, participants and audiences Part of the promotional culture Elements of the pre-modern, modern and post-modern Mirrors corporate communication yet also very different

Key actors, participants and audiences

Part of the promotional culture

Elements of the pre-modern, modern and post-modern

Mirrors corporate communication yet also very different

5 unit learning outcomes (p2): read and understand them Lecture plus seminar weekly sessions Reading !!!!!! Assignments: 1. End term 1 Expectations 2. Start term 3 Expectations Weighted marking criteria (p 3 & 4) Tutorial support Why is this ad unusual ?

5 unit learning outcomes (p2): read and understand them

Lecture plus seminar weekly sessions

Reading !!!!!!

Assignments:

1. End term 1

Expectations

2. Start term 3

Expectations

Theoretical Ideal Liberal/ plural democratic contexts = specific expectations & purposes ..“communication which should enable citizens to live democratically”.. (from Negrine 1996) Notion of ‘Public sphere’ (Habermas 1962)

Liberal/ plural democratic contexts = specific expectations & purposes

..“communication which should enable citizens to live democratically”.. (from Negrine 1996)

Notion of ‘Public sphere’ (Habermas 1962)

Rhetoric and Ethics A rhetoric of political communication (Smith 1990) Ethics inherent in all communication (Johannesen in Denton2000) Central in political communication? A click away

A rhetoric of political communication (Smith 1990)

Ethics inherent in all communication (Johannesen in Denton2000) Central in political communication?

Direction The elite model – top down? The pluralist model – competition The Feedback model A mediated model The Democratic model – circular communication The interdependent model – detached synergy

The elite model – top down?

The pluralist model – competition

The Feedback model

A mediated model

The Democratic model – circular communication

The interdependent model – detached synergy

Citizen(s) Fragmented: (From noble citizen to apathetic cynic) Flux: Changing ‘tribal’ allegiances regularly Perspective s you need to take Political communication expert Strategic Comprehensive Integrated Multi-faceted

Citizen(s)

Fragmented:

(From noble citizen to apathetic cynic)

Flux:

Changing ‘tribal’ allegiances regularly

Political communication expert

Strategic

Comprehensive

Integrated

Multi-faceted

Perspective s you need to take Political communication expert Strategic Comprehensive Integrated Multi-faceted Citizen(s) Fragmented: (From noble citizen to apathetic cynic) Flux: Changing ‘tribal’ allegiances regularly

Political communication expert

Strategic

Comprehensive

Integrated

Multi-faceted

Citizen(s)

Fragmented:

(From noble citizen to apathetic cynic)

Flux:

Changing ‘tribal’ allegiances regularly

The unit guide 5 unit learning outcomes (p2): read and understand them Lecture plus seminar weekly sessions Reading !!!!!! Assignments: 1. End term 1 Expectations 2. Start term 3 Expectations Weighted marking criteria Tutorial support

5 unit learning outcomes (p2): read and understand them

Lecture plus seminar weekly sessions

Reading !!!!!!

Assignments:

1. End term 1

Expectations

2. Start term 3

Expectations

For Seminars What direction is pol comm in the UK (or any other nation you are familiar with), what is the evidence for this? How does this effect us as citizens? What should the direction be Draw on advertising/marketing/pr/media/social best practice

What direction is pol comm in the UK (or any other nation you are familiar with), what is the evidence for this?

How does this effect us as citizens?

What should the direction be

Draw on advertising/marketing/pr/media/social best practice