The importance of communication function in modern political analysis

Political communication is a field of communication that is concerned with politics. Communication often influences political decisions and vice versa.

The field of political communication concern 2 main areas:

i. Election campaigns: Political communications involved in campaigning for elections.

ii. Government operations: This role is usually fulfilled by a Ministry of Communications, Information Technology or similar political entity. Such an entity is in charge of maintaining communication legislation and would be responsible for setting telecommunications policy and regulations as well as issuing broadcasting licenses, comments press releases, etc.

According to James Chesebro, there are five critical approaches to contemporary Political communications:

1. Machiavellian-i.e. power relationships.

2. Iconic-symbols are important.

3. Ritualistic-Redundant and superficial nature of political acts-manipulation of symbols.

4. Confirmation-Political aspects looked at as people we endorse.

5. Dramatistic-Politics is symbolically constructed. (Kenneth Burke)