The Political Persuaders: The Techniques of Modern Election Campaigns

摘要: For better or worse, political image is now more important to electoral victory than a spontaneous exchange of conflicting views over matters substantive policies. Campaign managers, polling specialists, and communication consultants define issues, set agendas, explore policy options primarily for gain. In short, campaign contrivances replace substance at all phases levels contests. Political estrangement, as illustrated by declining voting levels, may well be by-product deceptive consultant journalistic practices rather Americans being frustrated insoluble problems. The Persuaders, Dan Nimmo analyzes critiques the emerging industry professional management consulting. His volume was first book-length treatment do so; it seminal work on subject both academic scholars practitioners. his new introduction, hones critique in light past thirty years its effects organization, research, communication. He assesses changes technology, stable shifting candidate marketing, consequences democratic governance inherent professionally mediated campaigns close twentieth century. succinctly reviews well-nigh prophetic conclusions, determining that trends discovered 1970 not only persist, but continue intensify with vengeance. Although evolving techniques claim involve citizens process, actual involvement cosmetic real-this, argues principle source deepening popular disappointment general apathy. This timely should read scientists, policymakers, those fields mass journalism. has been professor science, journalism, various institutions, notably University Missouri, Tennessee, Oklahoma. currently distinguished visiting science Baylor University. author editor many works including Popular Images Politics Newsgathering Washington.