Television And The Crisis Of DemocracyDouglas Kellner offers a systematic, critically informed political and institutional study of television in the United States. Focusing on the relationship among television, the state, and business, he traces the history of television broadcasting, emphasizing its socioeconomic impact and its growing political power. Acknowledging that television has long served the interests of the powerful, he points out that it has dramatized conflicts within society and has on occasion led to valuable social criticism.Kellner's examination of television in the 1980s and, in particular, its role in the 1988 presidential election yields the conclusion that in our time television has worked increasingly to further conservative hegemony. In so doing, Kellner argues, contemporary television has helped produce a crisis of democracy.But Television and the Crisis of Democracy goes beyond description and diagnosis. In a discussion that is both analytical and comparative, Kellner presents alternative models to the existing structure of commercial broadcasting and shows how new technologies might be used to create a more democratic future for television—one that could enhance political knowledge and participation. |
Contents
Toward a CriticalInstitutional Theory | 71 |
1 | 129 |
Conservative Hegemony | 133 |
Copyright | |
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advertising agenda allegations alternative American argue arms attempt audience Barnouw boards/memberships broadcast media broadcasting system Bush's cable campaign capitalist capitalist system Chomsky Christic Institute claimed communications conflicts conservative hegemony Contras corporate capitalism coverage crisis critical culture debate democracy democratic deregulation dominant Donald Gregg dramatic drug Dukakis economic effects election forces functions George Bush Gregg groups hostages ideological illegal images individuals institutions investigative press involved Iran Iran/Contra Iran/Contra hearings Iranian issues liberal mainstream media major movements network television Noriega October Surprise Oliver North operation percent policies political positive present president produce programming promote public access public access television public broadcasting public broadcasting system public interest radio Reagan administration reports Richard Brenneke role Ronald Reagan satellite situation comedies social story structure struggle technocapitalism technologies television industry television networks television's theory U.S. society United Vietnam viewers