Introduction

The introduction chapter situates character assassination scholarship at the nexus of multiple academic disciplines. This is true despite the fact that previous research has identified examples of character assassination in a variety of historical eras, social organizations, and political systems. The introduction also identifies key goals for the volume, including developing theories and definitions to unite study alongside useful methodologies. The authors also hope the volume demonstrates through various cases how targets can defend their reputation. The introduction finally lays out the structure of the volume and its five parts: 1) The Theory of CA and Reputation Management; 2) National and International Dynamics; 3) Individual Targets; 4) Strategies of Attack and Defense; and 5) the Cultures of Emergent Media.