ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses contemporary concept of public relations as a profession, reveals that the emerging idea of a public relations occupation has been fraught with contestations. It focuses on the strategies and knowledge base that drove the public relations efforts being investigated, the examination of such strategies and knowledge through historical evidence informed by culturally relevant contexts, and the authors own training in historical analysis. The capturing of public relations histories, needed to include contextualization of rhetorical presuppositions, political viewpoints, prevailing business ideologies, and the perceived role of education in a society. The International Public Relations History Conference at Bournemouth University launched by that universitys Professor Tom Watson and his colleagues. Kevin Stoker examines public relations was already grappling with the idea of being a disseminator of expert worldviews versus the possibility of better focusing on and connecting with the perspectives of communities.
