Campaign Talk – Why Elections are Good for us - Hardcover

Hart, Roderick P

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 069100126X ISBN 13: 9780691001265

Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2000

Synopsis

Roderick Hart may be among the few Americans who believe that what politicians say in a campaign actually matters. Even as television coverage, political ads, and opinion polls turn elections into field days for marketing professionals, Hart argues convincingly that campaigns do play their role in sustaining democracy, mainly because they bring about a dialogue among candidates, the press, and the people. Here, by using a computer program called DICTION, he takes a close look at the exchange of ideas through the language used during campaigns. In each case, the participants choose their words differently, and this, according to Hart, can be a frustrating challenge to anyone trying to make sense of the issues. Yet he finds that the process is good for Americans: campaigns inform us about issues, sensitize us to the concerns of others, and either encourage us to vote or at least heighten our sense of the political world.

About this title

About the Author

Roderick P. Hart holds the Shivers Chair in Communication and Government at the University of Texas, Austin and is Director of the Texas Institute for Civic Participation. He is the author of numerous works, including The Sound of Leadership, Modern Rhetorical Criticism, and Seducing America; How Television Charms the Modern Voter.

Edition details

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 069100126X
• ISBN 13: 9780691001265
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 326