Becoming Citizens in the Age of Television

How Americans Challenged the Media and Seized Political Initiative during the Iran-Contra Debate

David Thelen author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:The University of Chicago Press

Published:7th Nov '96

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Becoming Citizens in the Age of Television cover

This text presents an original argument about the nature of democracy in American society. It explores a political process it claims is out of touch with everyday needs and concerns of American citizens. Instead of focusing on polls and election results, David Thelen looks at Americans through their calls and letters to congressmen in which citizens define for themselves the issues they want to raise and the ways they want to be seen and heard. Thelen argues that the self-referential world of politics and journalism during elections excludes the concerns and voices of Americans, resulting in lower voter turnouts and increased voter apathy.

ISBN: 9780226794716

Dimensions: 23mm x 15mm x 2mm

Weight: 369g

258 pages