This volume assesses comparative political communication research and considers potential ways in which it could and should develop. Twenty experts from Europe and the United States offer a unique and comprehensive discussion of the theories, cases, and challenges of comparative research in political communication. The first part discusses the fundamental themes, concepts and methods essential to analyze the effects of modernization and globalization of political communication. The second part offers a broad range of case studies that illustrate the enormous potential of cross-national approaches in many relevant fields of political communication. The third part paves the way for future research by describing the most promising concepts and pressing challenges of comparative political communication. This book is intended to introduce new students to a crucial, dynamic field as well as deepening advanced students' knowledge of its principles and perspectives.

‘This thought-provoking collection of essays not only reminds us of the richness and diversity of research in comparative political communication but it is also a convincing argument for continuing to develop such work. But the volume contains a challenge: how does one undertake comparative political communication research in the era of globalization? This is a timely intervention in such debates and should be read by everyone interested in political communication.’

Ralph M. Negrine - University of Leicester

‘This book tackles the very difficult job of developing a theoretical structure to compare political and media systems not only within one country, but across countries. The editors are to be commended for offering not only a current theoretical model, but also for providing other scholars with a heuristically provocative theory that will no doubt generate much theory-driven research in the future.’

Pamela J. Shoemaker - Syracuse University

‘A much-needed and carefully conceptualized addition to the political communication literature [that] includes contributions by some of the most eminent scholars of this field … It is a veritable feast for those interested in the most sophisticated thinking on this subject. Congratulations to Frank Esser and Barbara Pfetsch for bringing these minds together in one volume.’

David H. Weaver - Indiana University