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The Shortcomings Of Political Communication

Decent Essays

The purpose of this essay is to apply the content learned so far in this semester to two central ideas: First, why political communication is central to democratic theory; second, how the problem of democratic competence challenges the theoretical foundations of democratic governance; finally, how well democracy functions despite the shortcomings of democratic citizens. To discuss the first idea we must first answer one very important question: What is it about a democracy political system that makes communication central to its political process and policy outcomes? If there is one thing that we’ve learned so far this semester, it’s than communication, specifically media communication, drives this political “chess” we call our American Democracy. The course text defines political communication is several different ways, but the main takeaway is that not only is political communication a process, and yes sometimes a long one, it calls centrally on words and symbols “to mold attitudes and move citizens.” (1) In other words, political communication lies at the heart of our democratic system. It has the power to shape ideas, confirm beliefs and in the case of our most recent elections and policy-making decisions, communicate to millions of people through the power of media. I would say that reaching out to the decision-making citizens is certainly at the core of any democratic political system, in regards to the way it communicates. Without reaching out to the voters in some

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