Post-Broadcast Democracy: How Media Choice Increases Inequality in Political Involvement and Polarizes Elections (Cambridge Studies in Public Opinion and Political Psychology) [Paperback]

Markus Prior (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0521675332 | ISBN-13: 978-0521675338 | Edition: 1

The media environment is changing. Today in the United States, the average viewer can choose from hundreds of channels, including several twenty-four hour news channels. News is on cell phones, on iPods, and online; it has become a ubiquitous and unavoidable reality in modern society. The purpose of this book is to examine systematically, how these differences in access and form of media affect political behaviour. Using experiments and new survey data, it shows how changes in the media environment reverberate through the political system, affecting news exposure, political learning, turnout, and voting behavior.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[Markus Prior] presents a highly compelling story by building his case carefully and thoroughly using a wide array of data, aggregate and individual, covering many decades and areas ranging from the history of broadcasting to activities of Congressional incumbents...the prose is lucid and easy to follow."
-Keiko Ono, Millikin University, The Journal of Politics

"This account of the effects of media environment on politics is important, well argued, and clearly documented. Prior argues that the shift from a low-choice environment of broadcast television dominance to the world of cable and Internet choices has changed the behavior of the electorate. While 'news junkies' can consume more news, fans of entertainment turn increasingly to other options...Prior's analysis of the consequences is both new and noteworthy. He argues that because entertainment fans follow news less frequently now, they will vote less frequently...Prior's 'inequality by choice' argument contrasts with the 'digital divide' argument based on skills and resources...Those interested in media or broader issues of American political behavior will find much to ponder here. Summing Up: Highly recommended."
-J. Heyrman, Berea College, Choice

2007 Outstanding Academic Title -- Choice Magazine

"[Prior] presents a highly compelling story by building his case carefully and thoroughly using a wide array of data, aggregate and individual, covering many decades and areas ranging from the history of broadcasting to activities of Congressional incumbents. Despite the complexity of the question asked and multiple methods used, the prose is lucid and easy to follow."
Journal of Politics, Keiko Ono, Millikin University

Book Description

The impact of television and the Internet on politics in the United States during the last half-century. The 2007 study shows that the degree of choice among different media content affects political learning, turnout, and the polarization of elections.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 338 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (April 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521675332
• ISBN-13: 978-0521675338
• Product Dimensions: 0.7 x 6.1 x 8.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #311,328 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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