Communicative Interaction, Power, and the State

The work of early social scientists George Herbert Mead and Kenneth Burke has been buried beneath layers of theoretical discourse in the field of communication. In this book Frank Stark takes a fresh look at Mead's theory of communicative interaction and Burke's concepts of rhetoric and dramatism, and explores how these ideas can be applied to political analysis.

The study begins with a review of the basic tenets of Mead and Burke, then goes on to apply their theories to an analysis of the state. In particular, Stark looks at constitutions; persuasion, propaganda, and public policy; and the implications of international communications for the state. Research in all three areas is based on events in Canada and the African state of Cameroon. The last section introduces dramatism as a model or metaphor suitable for empirical research.

By returning to original sources, this book enriches contemporary discourse in communication. Stark has put together an intriguing study of the relationship between social communication and the state.

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.