Ideology and Modern Culture
Critical Social Theory in the Era of Mass Communication
In this major new work, Thompson develops an original account of
ideology and relates it to the analysis of culture and mass
communication in modern Societies.
Thompson offers a concise and critical appraisal of major
contributions to the theory of ideology, from Marx and Mannheim, to
Horkheimer, Adorno and Habermas. He argues that these thinkers -
and social and political theorists more generally - have failed to
deal adequately with the nature of mass communication and its role
in the modern world. In order to overcome this deficiency, Thompson
undertakes a wide-ranging analysis of the development of mass
communication, outlining a distinctive social theory of the mass
media and their impact.
Preface.
Introduction.
1. The Concept of Ideology.
2. Ideology in Modern Societies.
3. The Concept of Culture.
4. Cultural Transmission and Mass Communication.
5. Towards a Social Theory of Mass Communication.
6. The Methodology of Interpretation.
Notes.
Index.
Introduction.
1. The Concept of Ideology.
2. Ideology in Modern Societies.
3. The Concept of Culture.
4. Cultural Transmission and Mass Communication.
5. Towards a Social Theory of Mass Communication.
6. The Methodology of Interpretation.
Notes.
Index.
'Thompson's work is a tour de force full of provocative ideas,
sharp analysis, and constructive social theorizing.' American
Journal of Sociology
'It is impossible in a few sentences to do justice to the
enormous theoretical richness and sustained power of argument of
Thompson's analysis. This is a path-breaking work which will
undoubtedly become one of the fundamental texts in the theory of
ideology... It is difficult to imagine that this book will not
enjoy the success which it so richly deserves.' William
Outhwaite, University of Sussex
'Thompson's book is set to become a definitive text on ideology
and mass communication for the 1990s.' Political Studies
'There is so much to admire in Thompson's book.' The Times
Literary Supplement
'An excellent example of the genre. Wide-ranging and clearly
written, critical yet rarely contentious, it is primarily a
textbook which moves beyond the material it expounds by situating
it within the parameters of a wider enquiry ... a measured and
competent performance.' The Times Higher Education
Supplement
sharp analysis, and constructive social theorizing.' American
Journal of Sociology
'It is impossible in a few sentences to do justice to the
enormous theoretical richness and sustained power of argument of
Thompson's analysis. This is a path-breaking work which will
undoubtedly become one of the fundamental texts in the theory of
ideology... It is difficult to imagine that this book will not
enjoy the success which it so richly deserves.' William
Outhwaite, University of Sussex
'Thompson's book is set to become a definitive text on ideology
and mass communication for the 1990s.' Political Studies
'There is so much to admire in Thompson's book.' The Times
Literary Supplement
'An excellent example of the genre. Wide-ranging and clearly
written, critical yet rarely contentious, it is primarily a
textbook which moves beyond the material it expounds by situating
it within the parameters of a wider enquiry ... a measured and
competent performance.' The Times Higher Education
Supplement
His previous books include Critical Hermeneutics: A Study in the Thought of Paul Ricoeur and Jurgen Habermas (1981) and Studies in the Theory of Ideology (Polity, 1984).