This is a collection of essays that examine the construction, disgrace, and consequences of political sex scandals from various academic disciplines. From the misbehavior of President Clinton to Governor Mark Sanford's Argentinean tryst, sex scandals have become a prominent feature of American public life. This unique collection of essays explains why politicians elected for their leadership and promises of ethical behavior risk their career, and the socio-political consequences of their actions. It argues that political sex scandals are distinct from other types of sex scandals because the nature of elected office is very different from "civilian" life. The construction, disgrace, and aftermath of political sex scandals are examined from different academic angles, including the politics of place, human communication, political psychology, media, sociology, feminism, and criminology. The essays delve into the role of culture and geography on the political outcome of a scandal, the rhetoric of apologia, the psychology of risk, trends and patterns in media coverage, the impact on different organized interests, legal ramifications, and how different countries view political sex scandal. This accessible work will engage anyone studying American politics, political behavior, political communication as well as sociological issues and the role of the media.

This riveting book provides a nonpartisan examination of how the technological changes and financial imperatives of the media have led to an entertainment-driven news system poorly suited to report on American politics. Taking on today's brave new world of political reporting, Politics on Demand: The Effects of 24-Hour News on American Politics examines how the technological changes and financial imperatives of the American media have led to an entertainment-driven news system that cannot meet the needs of a democracy. Free of partisan slant and easily accessible to all readers, Politics on Demand explains the evolving media system, showing how politicians use the media to sell themselves and how the media uses politicians to its own advantage. The book demonstrates that, with vast amounts of programming time to fill, the spotlight has shifted away from substantive information to opinion, which, in turn, has helped perpetuate partisan politics. Politicians now have to contort themselves to fit within media confines, and political discourse has become extreme and over-simplified. Combining insider interviews with facts, statistics, anecdotes, and analysis, the author, herself a former C-SPAN producer, argues that the American media has become harmful for our nation and a detriment to our political system.

There are many types of political scandals, to include political sex scandals, corruption scandals, and election scandals. All are public events of significant consequence for politicians and for the voting public. As we pay attention to scandal, we ignore more weighty matters and we over-estimate the bad behavior of our elected officials. Political scandals have tremendous consequence on citizenry and might possibly undermine democratic institutions. This volume brings together academics from different backgrounds to explore the impact and long-term effects of political scandals. What makes this book different from others is the wide spectrum of perspectives brought together to help analyze a singular subject.

Super Mad at Everything All the Time explores the polarization of American politics through the collapse of the space between politics and culture, as bolstered by omnipresent media. It seeks to explain this perfect storm of money, technology, and partisanship that has created two entirely separate news spheres: a small, enclosed circle for the right wing and a sprawling expanse for everyone else. This leads to two sets of facts, two narratives, and two loudly divergent political sides with extraordinary anger all around. Based on extensive interviews with leading media figures and politicos, this book traces the development of the media machine, giving suggestions on how to restore our national dialogue while defending our right to disagree agreeably.

This is a collection of essays that examine the construction, disgrace, and consequences of political sex scandals from various academic disciplines. From the misbehavior of President Clinton to Governor Mark Sanford's Argentinean tryst, sex scandals have become a prominent feature of American public life. This unique collection of essays explains why politicians elected for their leadership and promises of ethical behavior risk their career, and the socio-political consequences of their actions. It argues that political sex scandals are distinct from other types of sex scandals because the nature of elected office is very different from "civilian" life. The construction, disgrace, and aftermath of political sex scandals are examined from different academic angles, including the politics of place, human communication, political psychology, media, sociology, feminism, and criminology. The essays delve into the role of culture and geography on the political outcome of a scandal, the rhetoric of apologia, the psychology of risk, trends and patterns in media coverage, the impact on different organized interests, legal ramifications, and how different countries view political sex scandal. This accessible work will engage anyone studying American politics, political behavior, political communication as well as sociological issues and the role of the media.

There are many types of political scandals: sex, corruption, and election scandals are but a few. Political scandals are public events that have tremendous consequence on citizenry and can undermine democratic institutions-when we pay attention to scandal, we risk ignoring weightier matters. This volume brings together an array of academics to explore the impact of political scandals. What makes this book different from others is the wide spectrum of perspectives brought together to help analyze a single subject.