Saturday, June 4, 2016

Historical Development of Political Communication till the Medieval Period

Introduction:
Normally, Communication is the process of sending and receiving message, while communicate sharing knowledge attitudes and skills with others in the form of gestures, posture, touches , smells, facial expressions, spoken or written message and as well as with sounds.
And politics means, it referred as a policy making tool or depart which covers the overall sectors of the entire nation: social, economical, cultural and so on. It also considers inner or outer activities of a certain group or organization.
The original meaning of the term “politics” comes from the Greek term for city “POLIS”; those with the right to participate in deliberations were politicians. Politics, then, is about the right to participate in decisions governing one’s life.

Normally communication always gives priority to political communication. Communication always gives to political communication or communication itself began political communication. So, 'Political communication is a subfield of communication and political science that is concerned with how information spreads and influences politics'. (Wikipedia.com)
The study and practice of political communication focuses on the ways and means of expression of a political nature. Robert E. Denton and Gary C. Woodward, two important contributors to the field, in Political Communication in America characterize it as the ways and intentions of message senders to influence the  political environment. This includes public discussion (e.g. political speeches, news media coverage, and ordinary citizens' talk) that considers who has authority to sanction, the allocation of public resources, who has authority to make decision, as well as social meaning like what makes someone American. In their words "the crucial factor that makes communication 'political' is not the source of a message, but its content and purpose." (Wikipedia)
According to Aristotle “man is a political animal.” Because he gives reason and communicate with others, therefore, has the potential to alter or change his living conditions for better because he can recognize the difference from right or wrong. It’s mean that man is by nature a political animal.

Historical Development of Political Communication:
Political communication started from the ancient period. After 2,000 years ago political communication was in practiced. Roman king Julies Caesar posted public news sheets. Which called Actadurina, this was the first practices of actual political communication in 59.  On that newspaper posted, the activities of palace and the information about war. It was the first daily newspaper of the world.
This newspaper was fulfilling by the political matters. Through most of the years the Roman Empire and the middle ages, the distribution of news came under the strict control of both secular and ecclesiastical authorities (Herbert, 1988:41). At that time the real political communication was not there but the practices was started, at the same time the restriction of ruling power on information also there. Because they feared about that people will be well informed and can go against them.
According to the Aristotle (384-322 BC) describes man as “a political animal” whose active participation in decision –making process enables him to achieve happiness and render service to the society.  Aristotle propagates citizen participation in state affairs.
Similarly, Plato (427-347 B.C.), brought out the republic discussing the best for the state, the pros and cons of democracy, politicians and their practices. He also discusses the prospect and pitfalls that politicians face when pursuing their course in the governance of the state, and their public postures and principles.
In the history of Great Britain, 1215, the right of citizens against state and monarchy was assured as a magnacarta. This was the great change in politics. Magnacarta was the first draft of human right, and many other fundamental rights were secure at that time by these documents. Similarly, Different angle ruler use a political communication by different medium.
Thus the political communication was started, but the real practices were after the invention of press. 1456 AD is the turning point in the history of printing press. The first moveable press was invented by Gutenberg in Garman. Tele print of moveable type was the religious book bible. After the invention, it spread all over the Europe rapidly. In Garman the government was not strict but the first English printer William Caxton was putted jail in Britain. Here is also politics. So, it is true we are not far from politics.
During Nepal's  the malla kings period is a mediaeval period. Ari malla was first king of that period. The malla king in Kathmandu valley had large halls for holding assemblies. Siddhinarsingh malla in lalitpur, pratap malla in kantipur and Bhupatindra malla in Bhaktapur construced palace that to this date demonstrate the acrchtectural brilliance of the contemporary age. Similarly, the lichchhavian political system is guided by dharma –shastras, “As dharma ruled supreme, the lichchhavian kings and the people were bound together by the nexus of duties rather than rights. Politics is full of power. Sometimes politics became narrow some time broad according to time period. But the purpose of politics did not change. But, political party is always autonomy.
Conclusion:
Political communication is a process of communicating ideas and thoughts with in political institution and political activity with the people. Political communication organizes dialogue, debate and discussion on political activities and events for awareness. It is also mainly supporting development of nation. Political communicators can't ignore the fact that a public consists of a numerous publics each converged by personal interests, hobbies, professions, community, geography and ideology. Since messages are tailored accordingly, media are fragmented in developed society where public are willing to access special interest channels of mass media and other information.
Political communication started from the ancient period. After 2,000 years ago political communication was in practiced. But the real practices were after the invention of press. 1456 AD is the turning point in the history of printing press.

Reference/Bibliography
Book:
-         Kharel, p. (2010) Political Communication. Sangam Institute, Kathmandu
-         Kharel, p. (2012) Media for Particapatory Democracy. Kamala Kharel, Kathmandu
Online:

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