Political communication is crucial for building a society where the state and people feel connected. It helps political actors gain legitimacy and compliance from citizens. Political communication is a highly complex environment involving many actors and audiences. It mirrors aspects of corporate communication but also differs in its context and purposes related to democracy. Effective political communication models include two-way feedback between representatives and citizens to facilitate decision making that serves societal interests.

1. What is….. Political Communication???

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

3. 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

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

5. 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

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

7. 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?

8. 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

9. 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!

10. 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

11. 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 ?

12. 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)

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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