Suchergebnisse

'I came to this collection as a discourse theory sceptic. I still have doubts, but the editors' lucid and helpful introduction, and the excellent chapters, have opened my eyes and ears to the potential value of this approach. This is a major contribution to theorising the contemporary media.' - David Hesmondhalgh, University of Leeds, UK 'Lincoln Dahlberg and Sean Phelan have compiled an excellent collection of studies on Discourse Theory and Critical Media Politics that clarify how discourse theory can work to enrich media/communication studies. The introduction provides a succinct overview of contemporary discussions and positions concerning discourse theory and the succeeding articles provide articulation of the concept with studies of media, democracy, and contemporary politics.' - Douglas Kellner, UCLA, USA 'This is a most welcome volume. It presents a long overdue engagement between media politics and discourse theory. Combining theoretical discussion and empirical illustration, this important volume takes Discourse Theory forward in this crucial field.' - Lasse Thomassen, Queen Mary, University of London, UK

Democracy for Realists delivers a long-overdue attack upon apologetics for American political realities. Achen and Bartels argue that the "folk theory of democracy" is not an accurate description of democracy in the United States and that without a greater degree of economic and social equality, democracy will remain an unattainable ideal. But their account of the gap between ideal and actual relies too heavily on the innate cognitive limitations and biases (particularly intergroup bias) of our psychology. These are important, but they provide only an incomplete understanding if we do not incorporate a focus on information and ideas. Media effects research and comparative media studies provide evidence that the ignorance of the U.S. voter is only partly caused by cognitive limitations, and they point the way to a more effective way to bring social psychology into political science.

"This book applies the novel approach of actor-network theory to media studies, addressing the current trends in international media studies by presenting ANT as the new theoretical paradigm through which meaningful discussion and analysis of the media, its production, and its social and cultural effects"--Provided by publisher.