Political Communication and the Realities of Democracy

Abstract

This article argues that given the increasing polarisation, commercialisation and globalisation of the media, political communication is facing significant challenges in supporting and improving democratic practice in contemporary democracies. Furthermore new research on voters’ behaviour indicates that most voters are less interested and knowledgeable about politics than previously thought. These changes threaten to undermine some of the foundations of democracy and the question is if political communication can contribute to improve our democracies. I argue that a focus on mutual advantage policies is one way to improve the democratic politics and political communication.