Media, Knowledge and Power

Poor old Tony Blair has had to cancel a book signing. Rather ironically this has garnered the ex-Prime Minister even more publicity for his book. It also raises a few questions about the rash of political biographies we are witnessing as one generation of politicians leave office and go in search of further glory and pay packets. But what’s it got to do with sociology?

History teachers would no doubt point to the view that leaders are always keen to justify their actions and leave their own version of ‘how it was’ to history.

But sociologists can also raise some interesting questions. The political memoir industry should cause us to reflect on the nature of celebrity culture, as well as the relationship between media, knowledge and power. Teachers can use the example of Blair, Mandelson and Alistair Campbell to assess the pluralist model of the media. Is it simply the case that anyone - especially now in the internet age - can publish their assessment of the last few governments and it’s then up to the public to decide which versions they want to read? Or are some sources of information still privileged? What do you think?