The conversations of democracy : linking citizens to American government

Democratic politics involves a series of multi-directional conversations. Effective conversations have the potential to engage, educate, and animate both citizens and governmental officials. On the individual level, discovering successful conversational strategies benefits both political and social interaction. This book offers guidelines for conducting effective conversations personally, politically, and beyond such that readers of this book are unlikely to ever again look at conversation in the same way. New technologies and social trends both challenge and potentially enhance traditional face-to-face and media dominated conversations. Understanding the state, quality and potential of political conversations provides a unique perspective for evaluating and potentially improving government "by the people." Politics And Democracy As Conversation -- Characteristics Of A Good Conversation -- Conversational Strategies -- The Value Of Conversation In A Democracy -- The Informational Requirements Of A Good Conversation -- The Social Setting Of Contemporary Conversation -- The Language Of Political Conversation -- The New Technology Of Conversation -- Institutionalized Conversation -- Beyond Talking. Stephen E. Frantzich. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The text characterizes politics as a set of conversations in which proponents of one position or candidate seek support from opponents or neutrals. The book explores the role of informal verbal interaction between relative equals as the foundation of democracy. Among the topics are characteristics of a good conversation, conversational strategies, the informational requirements of a good conversation, the language of political conversation, and beyond talking Politics and democracy as conversation Say what? characteristics of a good conversation Conversational strategies The value of conversation in a democracy Rising above shared ignorance : the informational requirements of a good conversation The social setting of contemporary conversation The language of political conversation The new technology of conversation Institutionalized conversation Beyond talking.