ABSTRACT
This chapter lays the foundation for understanding the history of political public relations scholarship by examining its roots in various countries and contexts. It also informs future scholarship by revisiting classic literature from the media effects, discourse, campaign, and relationship traditions of political and public relations research. Examples of contemporary literature from these research streams is also included, as is scholarship about activism and social change. The author challenges scholars to build upon current political public relations research that is derived from classic studies of the past, and to explore new directions applicable to Generation Z and today’s digital media landscape.
