This slim volume examines the effects of media and "media culture" on participatory democracy. Arguing that current American and western "democratic" cultures are suffering a collapse of not
just confidence, but even interest, from their constituents, the work examines the effects of modern media and "the spectacle," --the current state of celebrity obsession, viral marketing,
social media, and commodified culture--have on the potential for real involvement in a meaningful political discourse or participatory governing process. Harper is a lecturer in communications
at the University of Western Australia. Annotation 穢2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
