"Is there a crisis in representative democracy? Political Communication and Democracy uses a broad conception of political communication to interrogate the frequent assertion that there is. Political scientists face the challenge of understanding apparent evidence of a growing consensus that citizens of all democratic political systems are becoming progressively more cynical, disillusioned and pathetic. Political theory tells us that democracy is about inclusion, dialogue, public opinion, and government by the governed - all of which are the core concerns of political communication. Yet, many critics explain this absence of interest in politics by its ostensible professionalism, and the domination of image over substance. Gary D. Rawnsley aims to understand the origins of this situation, or at least understand why communications are thought to threaten democracy."--Jacket.