Has the mediaization of politics played any role in encouraging a growing cynicism and disillusionment with political processes in Western democracies? This book examines the increasingly topical subject of the political process and assesses: - The nature of the relationship between mass media and the political process - The impact of media-ization on existing political frameworks - The implications of media-ized politics Eric Louw uses a number of case-studies including political, celebrity, war and terrorism to provide a media studies perspective on how media workers (journalists, public affairs officers, spin-doctors) impact upon the political process. The book also considers the media′s role in promoting a range of twentieth century ideologies and emerging dominant discourses. It will be important reading for students of Media, Politics, Cultural Studies; Journalism and Public Relations.