The Comedy of Democracy

?As experts in the field of political communication, Combs and Nimmo maintain that understanding politics requires more than serious analysis; it also requires that we view American political institutions, processes, rituals, and policies as comedy. Few will deny that this work opens up a new dimension of empirical and normative significance. Highly recommended for all readership levels.?-Choice "As experts in the field of political communication, Combs and Nimmo maintain that understanding politics requires more than serious analysis; it also requires that we view American political institutions, processes, rituals, and policies as comedy. Few will deny that this work opens up a new dimension of empirical and normative significance. Highly recommended for all readership levels."-Choice

JAMES E. COMBS is Adjunct Professor, Clinch Valley College, University of Virginia./e He was formerly Professor of Political Science at Valparaiso University and is the author or coauthor of 12 books, including The Political Pundits (Praeger, 1992). DAN NIMMO is Visiting Scholar, Department of Political Science, Baylor University. He was formerly Professor of Communications at the University of Oklahoma and is the author or coauthor of 15 books, including The Political Pundits (Praeger, 1992).

Introduction: Wit's End: Taking Political Comedy Seriously The Political Comedies of Citizenship The Citizen's Role in Democracy: A Romantic Comedy Candidates, Campaigns, and Voters: Comedies of Farce and Humor Voices of Public Opinion: Comedies of Wit Politics and the News Media: A Comedy of Manners The Comedies of Policymakers Hell to the Chief: Comedies of Character Legislators Deliberate: Political Comedies of the Situation Political Bureaucracies: Comedies of Error and Intrigue The Mystique of Courts and Judges: Comedies of Ideas and Imagination Exit Laughing Epilogue References Index