An Introduction to Political Communication

The sixth edition of An Introduction to Political Communication examines the nature of political public relations, political advertising and the role of the media in modern democracies. Brain McNair reflects on the role of political communication in current political shifts across the globe, from the referendum vote for the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, the rise of right-wing populist groups in countries like Hungary, France and Italy, to the defeat of Hillary Clinton in the 2016 US presidential election. The book argues that these unprecedented trends have largely arisen out of an expanding digital media network and that this has allowed everyone from politicians and pressure - groups, to trade unions and terrorist organisations to bypass traditional, established media to widely communicate their messages.