The Political Economy of Global Communication: An Introduction (Human Security in the Global Economy)

Annotation Recent debates surrounding human security have focused on the satisfaction of human needs as the vital goal for global development. Peter Wilkin highlights the limitations of this view and argues that unless we incorporate an account of human autonomy into human security then the concept is flawed. He reveals how human security is a concern with social relations that connect people in local, national and global networks of power, structured through capitalism and hierarchical inter-state systems. Autonomy, as an aspect of human security, depends upon the ability of citizens to gain information about the processes that shape their lives. In this respect autonomy and communication are inherently linked and are prerequisites for the establishment of meaningful democratic systems. To what extent do developments in global communication enhance or undermine autonomy? As the world's media companies continue to merge, we are moving towards an ever more commercially driven system of global information. Wilkin argues that private ownership provides an increasingly powerful obstacle to human autonomy, and that the neo-liberal institutional and policy framework - now a global tendency - raises major problems for the attainment of human security. At the same time it has provided the ideological justification for the extension of private power into ever wider areas of public life. Changes in global communication reflect wider tendencies to enhance the power of global elites at the expense of working people and the author illustrates how and why these changes have taken place and the forms of opposition that have arisen in response to them. As Media Corporations Continue To Merge, We Are Moving Towards An Ever More Commercially Driven System Of Global Information. How Does This Impact Upon The Security Of Ordinary Citizens? Peter Wilkin Addresses This Question And Highlights The Limitations Of Conventional Views On Communication And Security. He Emphasises That Autonomy, As An Aspect Of Human Security, Depends Upon The Ability Of Citizens Around The World To Gain Information About The Institutions And Processes That Serve To Shape Their Lives. In This Respect, Autonomy And Communication Are Inherently Linked And Are Pre-requisites For The Establishment Of Meaningful Democratic Systems. Wilkin Argues That The Continuing Shift In Control Of Communication Provides An Increasingly Powerful Obstacle To Human Autonomy. The Author Reviews The Changes In Global Communication And Details The Alternative Responses To Them.--book Jacket. Understanding Human Security -- Human Security And International Relations -- Defining Human Security -- Security And The Study Of International Relations -- Global Communication And Human Security -- Global Communication And World Order -- Communication, Human Security And The Public Sphere -- Towards A Global Communications Industry -- Global Communication -- A Historical Overview -- States And Mass Communications -- The Political Economy Of Global Communication -- Understanding The Transformation Of Media Markets -- Technology, Ideology And Social Power In The Political Economy Of Communication -- Neoliberal Political Economy -- The Impact Of Neoliberal Political Economy -- Globalising Tendencies -- A Qualitative Change In Global Communication? -- Global Communications? The Changing Structure Of The Communications Industries -- Global Communication And The Changing Structure Of Ownership And Control -- From Synergy To Oligopoly Globalisation And The Information Society -- An Introduction -- Conclusions: Problems For Human Security -- Human Security And Global Communication -- Into The Twenty-first Century -- Knowledge, Power And Rationality -- Communication Needs And Human Security -- Developments In The Political Economy Of Education -- Global Communication, Information And Human Security -- Neoliberal Political Economy -- Idealised Brutality -- Conclusions: Obstacles To Human Security -- The Limits Of Neoliberal Analysis -- Public Sphere, Private Power -- The Limits To Autonomy And Human Security -- Developments In The Public Sphere? Peter Wilkin. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 145-159) And Index. As media corporations continue to merge, we are moving towards an ever more commercially driven system of global information. How does this impact upon the security of ordinary citizens? Peter Wilkin addresses this question and highlights the limitations of conventional views on communication and security. He emphasizes that autonomy, as an aspect of human security, depends upon the ability of citizens around the world to gain information about the institutions and processes that serve to shape their lives. In this respect, autonomy and communication are inherently linked and are prerequisites for the etsbalishment of meaningful democratic systems. Wilkin argues that the continuing shift in control of communication provides an increasingly powerful obstacle to human autonomy. The author reviews the changes in global communication and details the alternative responses to them