Book Launch Event - Populist Communication: Ideology, Performance, Mediation
- Date: Wednesday 9 June 2021, 16:00 – 14:00
- Location: Off-campus
- Cost: Free
In this first seminar in our new Media and Politics Group seminar series, we're delighted to introduce Dr Lone Sorensen’s new book.
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In this first seminar in our new Media and Politics Group seminar series, we’re delighted to introduce Dr Lone Sorensen’s (University of Leeds) new book, Populist Communication: Ideology, Performance, Mediation (Palgrave) in a Q&A format with Dr Katy Parry, with opportunities for audience members to also ask questions.
Book abstract
How can we make sense of the current age of global political disruption when populism leaves norms overturned and the future form of democracy unpredictable? Political representatives are no longer elected for their experience and expertise but out of a desire for an ephemeral sense of authenticity, a direct connection to citizens, and the certainty of the truths they tell. But when populists project these ideas and claim to represent the citizenry, what is reality and what is strategic performance aimed to attract media attention?
This conceptually rich book explores the performative strategies of the populist politicians who disrupt the normative order with acts of ‘truth-telling’. It disentangles their complex use of media—from their appeal to news values through spectacular disruptions to sophisticated social media commentary—in repertoires of mediated performances. Based on vigorous empirical research in both established and transitional democracies, it develops a theoretical framework of populist communication in the new media environment.
About the Media and Politics Group
The Media and Politics Group is a specialist group of the Political Studies Association. Co-convenors are:
- Jen Birks (Nottingham)
- Alec Charles (Winchester)
- James Dennis (Portsmouth)
- Emily Harmer (Liverpool)
- Katy Parry (Leeds)
We’ll be running this seminar series as a monthly online event (usually the second Wednesday of the month), and will announce our upcoming speakers in the Media and Politics Group newsletter. If you would like to join our mailing list please email Katy Parry (k.j.parry@leeds.ac.uk).