Comments from several U.S. Senators and Representatives who participated in the project summarize their personal evaluations of the usefulness of satellite videoconferencing with two-way interactive television in providing a new mechanism for informed dialogue between congressmen and constituents. The new technology is described in answers to the…

Network theory has recently been suggested as providing a useful framework for developing a change strategy by which the federal government can induce educational reform. In this paper the potential contributions of network theory are assessed by showing its close relationship to group theory. Then three critiques of group theory and…

The characteristics of demagogic discourse and a methodology appropriate for its analysis can be illustrated by examining Huey Long's "Every Man a King" radio address on February 20, 1934. The demagogue is similar to the revered public figure in that both are mass leaders, charismatic, and heroic. But the demagogue elicits powerful…

THE ATTEMPT IS MADE TO PUT INTO PERSPECTIVE THE MORAL, LEGAL, AND POLITICAL ISSUES OF SCHOOL DESEGREGATION FOR THE PRIVATE CITIZEN OF THE SOUTH WHO IS STILL IN SEARCH OF THE MORAL AND SOCIAL VALUES DEMANDED BY THE RACIAL PROBLEM. THIRTY QUESTIONS ARE RAISED AND DISCUSSED. SOME OF THE TOPICS INCLUDED WERE--THE SUPREME COURT RULINGS AND THEIR…

Agenda setting provides an analysis strategy for linking press coverage and voter perceptions of front runners, and underscores the importance of studying the primaries early in an election year. Two studies were undertaken in 1976. The first study, in Onandaga County (New York), involved telephone interviews of 335 registered Democrats in late…

This evaluative study investigated through actual demonstrations the effectiveness of satellite videoconferencing in providing a new mechanism for informed dialogue between congressmen and constituents, thus strengthening the legislative process. In this experiment, the use of NASA's portable earth terminal was instrumental in making satellite…

This paper reviews press coverage of events surrounding the 1977 governmental decision to ban fluorocarbons in spray cans in the United States. The research reported focused on the years 1972 to 1978 and involved a count of the number of items published in selected newspapers and magazines or aired on the three major networks' evening news…

The usefulness of presidential debates to the electorate and to the total political system is evaluated in this paper. The paper first reports the results of opinion polls concerning the value of the 1976 debates and cites studies showing the types of information that people obtained from watching the debates. It then considers whether voters'…

Increased grassroots political activity by the far right wing of the political spectrum suggests that American public education may be entering another round of attack from that sector. A review of activities of ultraconservatives and the far right shows that the "New Right" coalition of these groups presents signs of long range…

In 1968, the Science Council of Canada recommended that Canada focus its scientific and technological effort on the creation of major programs designed to help solve some of the country's social and economic problems and, specifically, that a space program be initiated. The Canadian decision to become involved in space communication activities was…

This report of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly begins with a recommendation adopted in 1977 regarding freedom of expression and the role of writers in Europe. An explanatory memorandum is then given that covers the following topics: the overall cultural situation, the specific situation of European writers, freedom and social…

This paper discusses the equal time law: Section 315 of the Communications Act of 1934. Section 315 is the major legislation governing the use of the broadcasting media in the area of politics. The underlying philosophy of the law is that people have a right to a full and complete disclosure of conflicting views of news of interest. The essence of…

The concept of the agenda setting function of the mass media holds that apart from any influence they may have on voter attitudes or behavior, the mass media apparently influence voters' perceptions of the importance of the issues. The agenda setting function of the mass media is analyzed for significance in this investigation. A panel study of…

If the educational community has been less influential than desired or needed in the past, it is now time for us to reappraise our behavior and take steps to become more influential in the state legislatures and the Congress of the United States. Today, in order to be heard, one must be a part of a more formal lobby effort. Lobbying can be…

The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of the mediational process of the press to discover how much and in what ways press reports of Agnew's speeches differed from his original speeches. Comparisons were made between the coverage produced by the press reports and manuscripts of Agnew's speeches in order to discover how much of the…