Core Theories of Political Communication: Foundational and Freshly Minted. Issue 4 (21st October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blumler, Jay G.
• Is Part Of: Communication theory. Volume 25:Issue 4(2015:Nov.)
• Page Start: 426
• Page End: 438
• Publication Date: 2015-10-21
• Subjects: Political Communication; Communication -- Periodicals; Information theory -- Periodicals; 302.205
• DOI: 10.1111/comt.12077
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1050-3293

Abstract

Abstract: This article presents and evaluates the essential tenets of a selection of core theories of political communication that leading scholars produced before and after the advent of media abundance, digital communication, and the Internet. From the earlier Foundational Legacy period, a number of theories of media effects, conceptualizations of the politics-media axis, and typologies for comparative analysis of political communication systems are discussed. From the digital era, a number of more freshly minted theories of voice, actors' roles, and holistic and normative perspectives are then considered. In conclusion, the article paints a largely positive picture of the state of political communication theory but also specifies certain needs for further theory development in this highly productive area of communication scholarship.