Overview

Political Communication in the Anglophone World: Case Studies, by Theodore F. Sheckels, extends political communication scholarship-primarily rhetorical scholarship-into the extensive English language arena outside the United States and the United Kingdom. While wrestling with the extent to which insights derived from and approaches used in political communication research focused on the United States can be used in other nations with different government structures, different media operations, and different political cultures, Sheckels provides insight into a variety of political communication topics ranging from the role gender plays in campaign politics to the politics involved as one speaks upon the occasion of leaving high office. This book explores how Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau used moments of media attention to push his foreign and domestic policy agenda, as well as another Canadian Prime Minister, Kim Campbell, and the difficulties she faced because of her gender. Sheckels also examines Jamaica's Michael Manley and his shift from advocating socialism to later supporting free markets, and reggae artist Bob Marley and his musical shift from concern for Kingston's poor to embracing pan-Africanism. Popular media images of Africa are also considered, as the book investigates Mwai Kibaki's attempts to unify Kenya, Nelson Mandela's presidential rhetoric, and Thabo Mbeki's I am an African Address. Finally, Sheckels goes to Australia to consider Gough Whitlam's unprecedented dismissal as prime minister, and Kevin Rudd's farewell speech after being replaced by his own party members. Asking new questions and using novel rhetorical approaches, Political Communication in the Anglophone World illuminates how communication proceeds, whether the medium be speech, song, website, or pirouette.

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9780739170786

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Professor Sheckels' book begins to fill a large void in political communication scholarship. The case studies demonstrate the importance of looking beyond U.S. borders to gain a better understanding of our own rhetorical traditions and their influence on world rhetoric, as well as the unique cultural influences that distinguish such rhetoric from American politicians'. In a global society, it is important that scholars provide tools for promoting a better understanding of world politics, and Sheckels' case studies show how that can be done. -- Diana Bartelli Carlin

Author Information

Theodore F. Sheckels is professor of English and communication studies at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia.

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