Engaging the public : how government and the media can reinvigorate American democracy / edited by Thomas J. Johnson, Carol E. Hays, Scott P. Hays.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Johnson, Thomas J., 1960-

Hays, Carol E., 1963-

Hays, Scott P., 1962-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political participation--United States.

Political participation.

United States.

Mass media--Political aspects--United States.

Mass media.

Mass media--Political aspects.

Voting--United States.

Voting.

United States--Politics and government--1993-.

Politics and government.

Physical Description:

xiii, 281 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Lanham, Md. : Rowman & Littlefield, [1998]

Summary:

The real story of the 1996 presidential election campaign was neither Clinton's victory nor Dole's loss, but rather a disaffected voting public that didn't go the polls in record numbers. Clinton and Dole will be history in election year 2000, but what reassurance do we have that voters will turn out in greater numbers or engage more fully in the political process? This volume of original essays by leading political scientists and media scholars examines the nature of political disengagement among the public and offers concrete solutions for how the government and media can stimulate public engagement in the political process. Among the recommendations are more public deliberation, media responsibility, and campaign finance reform -- nothing new, but nothing more important to focus on in making sure that citizens from every walk of life feel invited back to the voting booth. Candidates with integrity, issues that matter, and information both reliable and meaningful will motivate the disaffected more surely than special interest appeals to minorities, lower income voters, students, soccer moms, and angry white males. Further recommendations go deeper into new territory -- the Internet, structural change in registration and voting, "reverse socialization" -- but with all, an integrated approach to reinvolving the public with a reinvigorated politics is the goal.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0847688895

0847688909

OCLC:

38908616