Reassessing the State of Political Communication in the United States

Abstract

This essay responds to the growing and pervasive cynicism characteristic of political communication commentary and scholarship. We argue that there are compelling reasons for optimism about the state of political communication in the United States—a focus on policy, an ability to elect high quality leaders, an increase in democratization via technology and media, and an evolution of a truly rhetorical politics. Ultimately, we call for an alternative direction for political communication research-a direction that eschews cynicism for ideologically hopeful criticism, a direction that embraces progress instead of pessimism.