Packaging Politics

"Packaging Politics" examines the various ways in which politicians in political parties, in central and local government and in Parliament, have become increasingly enthusiastic and adept at using mass media to present themselves and their policies to the public. The book argues that "packaging politics" has had a harmful effect on the conduct of politics in a democracy. Gone are the days when voters attended public meetings and confronted politicians "face-to-face". The public's access to politicians is now mediated via television, radio or newspapers. Skilled and highly paid marketing and communications professionals create media images for politicians which seem to be more influential in winning voters' support than any clear understanding of party policy. The author asks whether the media offer voters information about politics with which they can make better political decisions or whether the media are being manipulated and managed by politicians in ways that allow them undue and improper influence over voters' choices.