Product Description

For the first time, The Bewildered Herd contains all that should be known about the media’s orientation of the public mind in democratic societies, why this manipulation takes place, and in which manner. The Bewildered Herd does not only analyse the media’s current functions, forms, interests, and tactics in the modern democratic society but it also traces and discusses the various transformations that this increasingly powerful social actor has gone through. The case studies used in The Bewildered Herd are both unequal and unique in their nature, depth, and revelations. They compare the media coverage in two of the world’s leading democracies (The United States and France) of some of the world’s most important armed conflicts (The Gulf War, Bosnia, Iraq, Chechnya, The Middle East, Rwanda). It analyses both countries’ national, economic, cultural, and social interests as well as their respective media’s coverage of these conflicts and reveals how public perceptions are affected by this coverage, and how the agendas of both the media and the political establishment are best served by this manipulation of public opinion in democratic societies. Mechanisms and tactics used in conditioning the public mind and orienting its opinion are extensively revealed and analysed in a manner that is so comprehensive in its approach and in its explanations.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1517016 in Books
• Published on: 2004-08-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 602 pages

From the Publisher
The most comprehensive and daring analysis and revelations of media motives, tactics, and mechanisms shaping domestic and world public opinion during international conflict coverage.

About the Author
Dr. B.A. Taleb holds a Ph.D. degree in International Relations from the Centre of Diplomatic & Strategic Studies of Paris, an M.A. in International Economic Law & Development from the René Descartes University (Paris V), and an M.A. in Diplomatic Studies. He is currently preparing his second doctorate (International Law).

Customer Reviews

Serious research
This book is, without a doubt, the result of serious and well conducted research made about how we are controled through the media and its influence on our daily lives. I definately recommend it, not only for reasearch purposes but also for the common citzen to get enlightened about it.

informative, but...
The most astonishing thing about this book was the number of typos it contained. Seriously, there were 100's, if not 1000's of typos. They made this dry, portly tome even more difficult to read.

Great Textbook
I'm a university professor and I'm recommending this book for my students this year, It will for sure give a lot of material for discussion on foreign policy and I think we will still hear a lot about this author in the future. I hope he has more to publish still.