ABSTRACT

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. This chapter introduces the concept of political communication, identifies the range of political actors involved in communication, and examines the impact of digital media on political communication. It follows Denton and Woodward by stressing the intentionality of political communication, which is defined as purposeful communication about politics. The study of political communication directs our attention to the relation­ship between three elements in the process by which political action is conceived and realised. The book reviews political communication in the very broadest sense, incorporating the communicative practices of all kinds of political organ­isations, in both domestic and international arenas. The purpose of all this communication is, as has been noted, to persuade. And the target of this persuasion - the audience - is the second key element in the political communication process, without which no political message can have any relevance.