Revisiting the Concept of the Masses
Reexamination of Mass-National Democracy: Salvaging ‘Mass’and Mass Communication
2020 Volume 97 Pages 17-34
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2020 Volume 97 Pages 17-34
The masses have been perceived in a negative light in contrast to the public.
In addition, the mass audience has been regarded as subjects who are easily
manipulated by media and political elites. Still, the elimination of the masses
may jeopardize democracy itself. This fear as held by the author derives from
the fact that the masses and media in advanced societies have shaped popular
democracy as the correct form of democracy. This article re-examines mass
communication in terms of popular democracy and national democracy.
