TERM 3 MSCP W1-2: Lecture + Hallin + Mancini | Quizlet

What is the definition of polity?

A system of rules that regulate the political process in a country, including the institutional structure.

What does policy refer to in political logic?

The processes of defining problems and forming and implementing solutions within a certain institutional framework.

How is politics defined in this context?

The processes of garnering support for one's candidacy, party, or ideas, including self-presentation.

What is the fourth dimension of political actors?

The framing of how parties and politicians present themselves, including their media connections.

What does 'celebrity politics' refer to?

The phenomenon where politicians are treated as celebrities, impacting their public image and political strategy.

What is mediatization of politics?

The process by which media influences political processes and the way politics is communicated.

What are mediatized leaders known for?

Building an appealing image through direct emotional links with voters and creating media events.

What is meant by 'personalization of politics'?

A focus on leader personalities rather than policies or party positions.

What role do spin doctors play in political communication?

They are media professionals who help shape the public image of politicians and parties.

How does media serve as a public sphere in politics?

Media acts as the main source of political information and facilitates interaction between citizens and political actors.

What is the significance of agenda-setting in media?

It influences what voters and policymakers consider important issues.

What is media interventionism?

The degree to which journalists interpret and intervene in political messages.

What is the difference between media logic and political logic?

Media logic focuses on strategy and performance, while political logic centers on issues and policies.

What does a shorter politician soundbite indicate?

A stronger media logic, where journalists control the narrative.

What does journalistic visibility refer to?

The presence of journalists in political reporting, which can indicate interventionist reporting.

What are 'wrap-ups' in journalism?

Segments where journalists provide their own interpretive summary of political events.

What is the strategic game frame in media coverage?

Framing politics as competition and strategy rather than policy debate.

How can we trace the mediatization of politics?

By examining media interventionism, soundbite lengths, and the visibility of journalists.

What is the impact of media on political autonomy?

Politics has partially lost autonomy and is increasingly shaped by its interaction with mass media.

What is the role of political memes in contemporary politics?

They shape how individuals are introduced to political topics and influence public discourse.

What is the importance of studying mediatization in politics?

To understand how media logic influences political communication and the democratic process.

What does 'mediagenicity' refer to?

The ability of politicians to adapt their style to different media formats.

What is the significance of the comparative perspective in studying mediatization?

It allows for understanding how different political systems translate mediatization into news practices.

What does the term 'lip-flaps' refer to in journalism?

When journalists talk over video of politicians instead of allowing them to speak.

How does the mediatization of politics contribute to democracy?

By facilitating public discourse and shaping political engagement through media.

What is the gap in existing research regarding mediatization?

Mediatization is often poorly defined and lacks systematic empirical work.

What is the role of journalists in political communication according to political logic?

Journalists act more as transmitters of political messages rather than as central definers.

What is the mediatization of politics?

A process with four dimensions that examines the relationship between media and political communication.

What are the four dimensions of mediatization?

1. Media as the primary source of political information. 2. Media's independence from other institutions. 3. Media content following media logic vs political logic. 4. Political actors following media logic vs political logic.

How does US election news compare to Swedish election news?

US election news is more mediatized, featuring shorter soundbites and higher journalistic visibility.

What is the empirical focus of the article regarding mediatization?

The third dimension: how news content is governed by media logic rather than political logic.

What distinguishes mediation from mediatization?

Mediation refers to messages going through media, while mediatization refers to the structural dependence of politics on media logic.

What is the consistent difference in Swedish TV news between commercial and public service broadcasting?

Higher strategic/game framing is present on commercial TV.

What are the potential democratic risks of high mediatization in the US?

Trivialization, personalization, cynicism, and weakened access to policy arguments.

What benefits can high mediatization provide?

More critical scrutiny and interpretive help if done well.

How does lower mediatization in Sweden affect political logic?

It allows more room for political logic despite professional journalism.

What factors moderate the democratic effects of mediatization?

Journalism cultures, political news cultures, and political communication cultures.

How does the article operationalize mediatization of politics?

By moving from abstract claims to measurable indicators in news output.

What future research does the author suggest regarding mediatization?

Systematic, comparative, longitudinal studies to track the extent of mediatization in different countries.

What crisis is journalism facing due to digital production and distribution?

A crisis that undermines traditional gatekeeping roles, allowing politicians to bypass news media.

What is the impact of alternative information producers on journalism?

They undermine journalism's traditional gatekeeping role.

What does the term 'platform logics of social media' refer to?

The specific logic and affordances of individual platforms like Instagram and Twitter.

What was the sample used in the study of mediatization on Instagram?

16 Swedish politicians' Instagram accounts and 800 posts.

What dimensions were coded to indicate how politics is mediatized by Instagram?

1. Presence of political vs non-political content. 2. Connectivity with different actor fields.

What types of connectivity were analyzed in the study?

Intra-political, media, celebrity, civil society, business, and family connectivity.

What does the term 'performative connectivity' refer to?

The way politicians connect with various actor fields through their social media presence.

What is the significance of measuring mediatization in political communication?

It shows who controls political communication and how citizens perceive politics.

What implications does mediatization have for democratic quality?

It affects information richness, pluralism, and accountability.

What does the article suggest about the effects of mediatization across different cultures?

The effects of mediatization vary by context, influenced by cultural factors.

How does the article contribute to broader mediatization theory?

By providing measurable indicators and advocating for empirical approaches.

What is the potential outcome of high mediatization in political news?

It may privilege media logic over substantive policy debate.

What is the role of journalism culture in mediatization?

It can moderate the impact of commercialism on political communication.

What does the article imply about the relationship between media systems and political communication?

Different media systems may channel politics in ways that privilege media logic more than others.

What is meant by 'mediatization' in politics?

Mediatization refers to the process by which politics is influenced and shaped by media logic and practices, particularly in the context of social media.

How do politicians use social media in their communication?

Politicians use social media to brand themselves, stage relationships, and merge their private and professional identities.

What is the significance of selfies in political communication?

Selfies are a form of self-presentation that emphasizes individualism and personal branding, often used to create a sense of intimacy with the audience.

What is the difference between 'participatory culture' and 'culture of connectivity'?

Participatory culture emphasizes active engagement and contribution, while culture of connectivity focuses on being connected with others.

What percentage of political posts on social media contain explicit political messages?

Only 35% of posts contain explicit political messages.

How do politicians typically interact with comments on their social media posts?

Most politicians avoid public interaction, with low response rates to comments.

What is the 'image-first' logic of Instagram?

Instagram's image-first logic prioritizes visuals over text, emphasizing individualism and immediacy.

What are the socio-technical affordances of Instagram?

Instagram encourages self-branding and performance of self due to its focus on visuals and limited ability to convey complex issues.

What is the potential democratic benefit of Instagram for political communication?

Instagram could reduce the communicative distance between politicians and citizens, allowing for direct access to politicians' daily lives.

What is the observed practice of politicians on Instagram regarding public interaction?

Politicians often focus on branding their public persona rather than engaging in two-way debates.

What does 'layered mediatization' refer to?

Layered mediatization refers to the influence of both news media logic and platform logic on political communication.

What are the risks associated with the visual mediatization of politics?

Risks include depoliticization, where attention shifts from policy to individual styles and personal lives.

How does visual communication affect political discourse?

Visual communication tends to popularize and personalize politics, shifting focus from ideological conflict to lifestyle politics.

What is the impact of platform constraints on political communication?

Platform constraints make it harder to provide detailed issue information, favoring simpler, lifestyle-focused content.

What is the role of news media in the context of mediatization?

News media remain a symbolic center of democratic discourse, often used by politicians to validate their messages.

What is meant by 'performative turn' in political communication?

The performative turn emphasizes the importance of politicians' self-images and staged connectivity in understanding modern politics.

How do politicians' connectivity patterns vary?

Some politicians are hyper-connected, with over 80% of posts involving interactions with other actors, while others focus more on political messages.

What is the effect of lifestyle content in political communication?

Lifestyle content can shift the focus from substantive political issues to personal achievements and everyday life.

What challenges do politicians face when focusing on issue-based content?

Politicians who focus on issue-based content often have lower follower counts and less visibility, pressuring them to adapt to platform aesthetics.

What are the implications of mediatization for democratic deliberation?

Mediatization can create new symbolic connections but also lead to lifestyle-centered politics, which may undermine substantive democratic deliberation.

What is the relationship between political personas and celebrity politics?

Political personas are often branded similarly to celebrities, merging personal and political identities in a way that appeals to the public.

What is the significance of 'imaginary accountability' in political communication?

Imaginary accountability refers to the perception of closeness and accountability politicians create through personal and intimate social media content.

How does Instagram's format affect complex political issues?

Instagram's visual focus and lack of clickable links make it difficult to convey complex political arguments effectively.

What is a key takeaway regarding the study of political mediatization?

Studying political mediatization requires examining platform-specific logics and the performative practices of political actors.