Presents an introduction to the critical concepts, structures, and professional practices of political communication. This title considers both practical and theoretical issues central to political communication and offers a critical assessment of developments in political communication.

Aestheticisation Agenda-Setting Americanisation/Professionalism Audiences Authenticity Brands/Branding Broadcasting/Narrowcasting Campaigns/Campaigning Civil/Civic Society Consumerism/Consumerisation Cynicism Dealignment Dumbing Down E-representation/E-politics Electoral professionalism Emotionalisation Framing Globalisation Hegemonic Model Ideology Image Information Subsidies Infotainment Legitimacy/Legitimisation Manufactured Consent Media-Centred Democracy Media Effects Mediatisation Message/Messages Negativity News Management News Values Packaging Permanent Campaigning Political Advertising Political Marketing Popular Culture Populism Propaganda Pseudo-Events Public Relations Democracy Public Sphere Representation Rhetoric Segmentation Soundbite/Soundbite Culture Source-Reporter Relations Spin/Spin-Doctor Technological Determinism Terrorism Uses and Gratifications Theory Virtual Politics/Virtual Communities