Public Relations and Social Theory: Key Figures, Concepts and Developments

Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- List of Illustrations -- Preface -- 1. Introduction: Public Relations and Social Theory -- Themes of the Book -- Social Change -- Social Forces -- Social Interactions -- Power -- Finally: A Note of Caution -- Note -- References -- PART 1: Social Changes -- 2. On Weber: Legitimacy and Legitimation in Public Relations -- On Max Weber -- Relevance for Public Relations -- Conclusion -- References -- 3. On Luhmann: Reframing Public Relations as Part of Society's Evolutionary Learning Processes -- Communication, Observation and Distinction -- Society's Differentiation -- Counter-Intuitivity, Complexity and Criticism -- Public Relations as Part of Society's Learning Processes -- Five Societal Megatrends Activate Public Relations -- Conclusion -- References -- 4. On Bauman: Power, Ethics and Social Hermeneutics -- Postmodern Society and the Role of Sociology -- Public Relations and Liquid Modernity: Lessons from Bauman -- Conclusion -- References -- Suggested reading includes: -- 5. On Beck: Public Relations and Quests for Responsibility -- Reflexive Modernization -- Criticism of Beck -- Public Relations to Master the Condition of Modernity and Reflexive Modernity -- Some Concluding Remarks -- References -- 6. On Latour: Actor-Networks, Modes of Existence and Public Relations -- On the Sociology of Latour -- The Nonmodern Constitution -- A Sociology of Associations -- Modes of Existence -- The Critique of Latour -- Relevance for Public Relations -- Conclusions -- References -- PART 2: Social Forces -- 7. On Bourdieu: Public Relations, Positions and Resources -- On the Sociology of Bourdieu -- Relevance for Public Relations -- Conclusion -- References -- 8. On Harrison White: Rethinking Relations in Public Relations -- On the Sociology of Harrison White.

Relevance for Public Relations -- Conclusion -- References -- 9. On Meyer: Public Relations in a Context of World Society, Soft Actors and Rationalized De-coupling -- The Sociology of John W. Meyer -- Relevance for Public Relations: Need for Structural Explanations -- Conclusions -- References -- 10. On Giddens: Interpreting Public Relations through Anthony Giddens's Structuration and Late Modernity Theories -- Giddens - An Introduction -- Giddens's Epistemology -- The Critique of Social Theory -- Public Relations in Late Modernity -- Conclusions -- References -- PART 3: Social Interactions -- 11. On Putnam: Bowling Together - Applying Robert Putnam's Theories of Community and Social Capital to Public Relations -- Robert Putnam and the Loneliness of Bowling Today -- Critique of Putnam's Works -- Putnam for Public Relations -- Establishing Community Through Public Relations -- Public Relations or Community Relations? -- Creating Social Capital -- Putting Social Capital to Use -- Problems with Putnam in Public Relations -- Conclusion -- References -- 12. On Berger: If Peter Berger Was Doing Public Relations - A Social Constructionist Perspective on Crisis Communication -- On Berger's Thinking -- Crisis Communication from a Bergerian Perspective -- Conclusion -- References -- 13. On Boltanski: The Sociology of Critique and Public Relations -- Economies of Worth and the Spirit of Capitalism -- Current Applications of Boltanski in Public Relations and Related Fields -- Application to Current Public Relations Activity -- Strengths and Limitations -- Conclusion -- References -- Further Reading -- 14. On Goffman: Researching Relations with Erving Goffman as Pathfinder -- Erving Goffman's Contribution -- Key Concepts: Impression Management, Framing, Footing and Face -- The relevance of Goffman's theory for Public Relations -- Conclusion -- References.

15. On Habermas: Communication and Understanding - Key Concepts for Public Relations -- Background of Jürgen Habermas -- Critical Remarks -- Public Relations as a Process of Understanding -- Aims of Consensus-Oriented Public Relations -- The COPR-Model as a Public Relations Evaluation Program -- COPR as an Evaluation Tool for Public Relations -- Conclusion -- References -- PART 4: Power -- 16. On Marx: Capitalism and Public Relations -- Marx: Philosopher, Journalist and Political Revolutionary -- Human Nature, Capitalism, Surplus Value and Alienation -- Capitalism and the Invention of Public Relations -- Materialism, Base/Superstructure, Commodity Fetishism and Ideology -- Marxism after Marx: Neo-Marxism, Critical Theory and Public Relations -- Opportunities for Marx in 21st Century Public Relations Research -- Public Relations as Wage Labour in the Digital Economy -- Concluding Remarks -- References -- 17. On Dewey: Public Relations and its Eclipse of the Public -- Dewey - A New Introduction -- Dewey and his Critics -- Implications for Public Relations - The "Theory of Publics" -- Implications for Public Relations - Other Public Theories -- Conclusion -- References -- 18. On Foucault: Engaging with Foucault's Critical Theory and Methods -- The Work of Michel Foucault -- Research Approaches -- Discourse Production and Transformation -- Criticisms -- Relevance for Public Relations -- Conclusion and Implications for Research and Practice -- References -- 19. On Dorothy E. Smith: Public Relations and Feminist Theory at the Crossroads -- Smith and Sociological Theory -- Smith and Feminist Theory -- Smith and Feminist Public Relations Theory -- Conclusion -- References -- 20. On Spivak: Theorizing Resistance in Public Relations -- Spivak and Postcolonial Theory -- Postcolonialism in Public Relations Scholarship -- Conclusion -- References.

21. On Mouffe: Radical Pluralism and Public Relations -- On Chantal Mouffe -- Relevance for Public Relations -- Conclusion -- References -- 22. Conclusions on the Compass, Context, Concepts, Concerns and Empirical Avenues of Public Relations -- Compass: Expanding the Knowledge Interests of Public Relations Research -- Context: Description of Society -- Concepts: Trust, Legitimacy, Understanding, Reflection -- Concerns: Power, Behavior and Language -- Empirical Avenues: A Research Program for Public Relations -- Final Words -- References -- List of contributors -- Index.