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.

Kai Hafez is a Chair Professor of International and Comparative Media and Communication Studies at the University of Erfurt, Germany. Research specializations: global and political communication, media and democracy and Islamic-Western relations. Author of The Myth of Media Globalization, Radicalism and Political Reform in the Islam and Western Worlds, Islam in ’Liberal’ Europe.

Anne Grüne is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Media and Communication Studies at the University of Erfurt, Germany. Research specialization: globalization and social communication, comparative communication cultures, global popular culture. 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.