Foundations of Global Communication - A Conceptual Handbook

This book provides a wide-ranging theoretical and empirical overview of the disparate achievements and shortcomings of global communication.

This exceptionally ambitious and systematic project takes a critical perspective on the globalization of communication. Uniquely, it sets media globalization alongside a plethora of other globalized forms of communication, ranging from the individual to groups, civil society groupings, commercial enterprises and political formations. The result is a sophisticated and impressive overview of globalized communication across various facets, assessing the phenomena for the extent to which they live up to the much-hyped claims of globalization's potential to create a globally interdependent society. The setbacks of globalization, such as right-wing populism and religious fundamentalism, can only be understood if the shortcomings of global communication are taken more seriously.

Covering all types of cross-border global communication in media, political and economic systems, civil societies, social media and lifeworlds of the individual, this unique book is invaluable for students and researchers in media, communication, globalization and related areas.

List of contents

Introduction 1. Theory of global communication 2. Mass media and global public sphere 3. Politics: the state’s global communication 4. (The) Economy: global corporate communication 5. Civil society: global movement communication 6. Large communities: global online communication 7. Small groups: global lifeworldly communication I 8. (The) Individual: global lifeworldly communication II 9. Interdependencies of systems and lifeworlds Conclusion and future prospects

About the author

Kai Hafez is a Chair Professor of International and Comparative Media and Communication Studies at the University of Erfurt, Germany. His research specializations are global and political communication, media and democracy and Islamic–Western relations. He is the author of The Myth of Media Globalizationa and The Political Dimensions of Foreign Reporting (2 vols, in German), the editor of Arab Media – Power and Weakness, Mass Media, Politics and Society in the Middle East, Islam and the West in the Mass Media: Fragmented Images in a Globalizing World, Media Ethics in the Dialogue of Cultures: Journalistic Self-Regulation in Europe, the Arab World, and Muslim Asia and the co-editor of Media and Transformation in Germany and Indonesia: Asymmetrical Comparisons and Perspectives.
Anne Grüne is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Media and Communication Studies at the University of Erfurt, Germany. Her research specializations are globalization and social communication, comparative communication cultures and global popular culture. She is the author of Formatted World Culture? On the Theory and Practice of Global Entertainment Television (in German) and co-editor of Media and Transformation in Germany and Indonesia: Asymmetrical Comparisons and Perspectives.

Summary

This book provides a wide-ranging theoretical and empirical overview of the disparate achievements and shortcomings of global communication.

Additional text

"In this breakthrough investigation, Kai Hafez and Anne Grüne place globalization, one of the most popular keywords of our times, under renewed critical scrutiny. In a powerful conceptual language, they develop an original account of the asymmetries and tensions of our interconnected world and offer a novel understanding of how its various communicative actors and their systemic relations, at once, bind us together and keep up apart. The outcome is a compelling narrative that sheds light on some of the most urgent challenges of our time, including the rise of global fundamentalisms and illiberal populisms. A must-read."

Lilie Couliaraki, Professor London School of Economics and Political Science
"This is a wide-ranging, sophisticated yet critical discussion of the globalization of communication. Telescoping from the systemic to the individual, and encompassing politics, commercial networks and media systems, the book provides a multi-faceted assessment of the potential and limitations of global communications."
Herman Wasserman, Professor of Media Studies, University of Cape Town
"Hafez und Grüne successfully and prominently position communication theory in the globalization debate. They contribute to a solid foundation and fruitful discussion of globalization from the perspective of communication studies. Make sure that you take this handbook really ‘into your hands’. You will definitely profit from reading it."

Thomas Herdin, Professor Paris-Lodron-University Salzburg
"The deep structure (of the handbook) enables users targeted entries. Readers receive complex and sophisticated information about multi-layered interdependencies (nation state vs. transnationalization, global elites vs. local majorities, role of the media) and the relevant responsibilty of global players. In my view, there is no alternative to this book."
Annette Rugen, ekz.bibliotheksservice (https://www.ekz-group.com), Translation from review of the German publication (UTB, Munich)

"This extremely useful and timely translation of the original German publication by Hafez and Grüne is a great resource for students and researchers alike, as it deeply enriches – both theoretically and methodologically – the burgeoning literature on global communication."

Daya Thussu, Professor Baptist University, Hong Kong

Product details

• Authors: Anne Grüne, Kai Hafez, Kai (University of Erfurt) Grune Hafez, Kai Grune Hafez, Hafez Kai
• Assisted by: Alex Skinner (Translation), Skinner Alex (Translation)
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.05.2022
• EAN: 9781032185781
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3218578-1
• No. of pages: 322
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Business > Individual industrial sectors, branches; History, Media Studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Media Studies, LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Communication Studies, Humanities, Communication Studies, Media, Information & Communication Industries