Constructing the Political Spectacle

by Murray Edelman

Thanks to the ready availability of political news today, informed citizens can protect and promote their own interests and the public interest more effectively. Or can they? Murray Edelman argues against this conventional interpretation of politics, one that takes for granted that we live in a world of facts and that people react rationally to the facts they know. In doing so, he explores in detail the ways in which the conspicuous aspects of the political scene are interpretations that systematically buttress established inequalities and interpretations already dominant political ideologies.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, College, School, Psychology, Philosophy

142 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1988

About the author

Edelman received a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1941. He then earned a master’s degree in history from the University of Chicago in 1942 and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1948. He served on the faculty of the University of Illinois from 1948 to 1966. In 1966 Edelman joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and he retired from there in 1990.

Edelman’s innovative and classic book The Symbolic Uses of Politics (1964) is the seminal work on symbolic politics, and it continues to exert a widespread influence on scholarly research. In it, Edelman explored the use of myths, rites, and other symbolic forms of communication in the formation of public opinion and policy. He drew a distinction between the conventional view of politics, which focuses on how people acquire what they want through government, and the reality of politics, in which political symbolism is used to influence a country’s citizens by placating them or compelling them to act. The book was centred on the notion that democracy is largely symbolic and expressive in function and has fostered vibrant scholarly debate. According to Edelman, political reality is concealed from the public through the generation of largely empty symbols by the political elite.

Edelman wrote 10 other books exploring the issues of which The Symbolic Uses of Politics laid the foundation. Those books include Politics as Symbolic Action: Mass Arousal and Quiescence (1971), which explored the generation of political perception and public opinion in democracies and mass political action, and Constructing the Political Spectacle (1988), in which he argued that even those who are the most well-versed in politics would exhibit characteristics of the dominant ideology—even if they developed and espoused ideologies that ran counter to it

Reviews

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Edelman's classic post-structural analysis of American politics. The last two chapters are especially useful for scholars who want to analyze what he calls the "political spectacle."

[Lora · Rating 3 out of 5]

A highly relevant book in today's world of media, filled with clickbaits, sensationalism and disregard for journalistic norms. The book tries to explain how the media narrative comes to be and what impact it can have on society.

The book is utterly pessimistic and offers no concrete solutions or tips on how to battle misinformation thrown at masses and it seems it just makes a point that we are all victims of chaotic manipulation - both readers and actors of news.

It might be just my personal opinion, but I believe that society has been a target for all types of propaganda throughout the history and modern times, if nothing, make it possible to search various sources and find truth if one focuses on it.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly important text. Should be required reading for every political science, public policy, and journalism student.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in grad school and just re-read it along with my own grad students for our seminar in political communication. Edelman talks about the social construction of leaders, problems, and enemies in making the political spectacle. It's a good theoretical framework for analyzing political rhetoric.

[Hans Ostrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still the best book on the topic. Long before total-spectacle Trump inflamed white supremacy and misogyny to take power, Edelman described in detail how it works and how politicians and their handlers and the media distract the citizenry from sober analysis.

[Ben O'loughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent undergraduate level constructionist account of politics. Written with a focus on US politics but much resonates further afield.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book but a tough read.

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting subject, hard read