Posters, Propaganda, and Persuasion in Election Campaigns Around the World and Through History - Hardcover

"Steven A. Seidman has written an exemplary study of the political poster as a medium of propaganda in different societies and eras. The historical sweep is monumental - ranging from American presidential campaigns of the early nineteenth century to contemporary political campaigns in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Underpinned by meticulous research, the author provides compelling evidence of the effectiveness of the political poster and how it has influenced public opinion and behavior. This important and beautifully illustrated book is quite simply the best study of the modern political poster that I have read." (David Welch, Professor of Modern History and Director of the Centre for the Study of Propaganda and War, University of Kent, England) "Steven A. Seidman rekindles my own memories as a college student of trying to convince people to put a poster in their windows, a bumper sticker on their cars, or a sign on their lawns. More important, he provides an insightful analysis of the historical importance of these forms of media that will serve as a basis for scholarship on the past to give us a glimpse into the future." (Christopher Harper, Associate Professor, Temple University) "Steven A. Seidman has written an exemplary study of the political poster as a medium of propaganda in different societies and eras. The historical sweep is monumental - ranging from American presidential campaigns of the early nineteenth century to contemporary political campaigns in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Underpinned by meticulous research, the author provides compelling evidence of the effectiveness of the political poster and how it has influenced public opinion and behavior. This important and beautifully illustrated book is quite simply the best study of the modern political poster that I have read." (David Welch, Professor of Modern History and Director of the Centre for the Study of Propaganda and War, University of Kent, England) "Steven A. Seidman rekindles my own memories as a college student of trying to convince people to put a poster in their windows, a bumper sticker on their cars, or a sign on their lawns. More important, he provides an insightful analysis of the historical importance of these forms of media that will serve as a basis for scholarship on the past to give us a glimpse into the future." (Christopher Harper, Associate Professor, Temple University)

How effective are election campaign posters? Providing a unique political history, this book traces the impact that these posters - as well as broadsides, banners, and billboards - have had around the world over the last two centuries. It focuses on the use of this campaign material in the United States, as well as in France, Great Britain, Germany, South Africa, Japan, Mexico, and many other countries. The book examines how posters evolved and discusses their changing role in the twentieth century and thereafter; how technology, education, legislation, artistic movements, advertising, and political systems effected changes in election posters and other campaign media, and how they were employed around the world. This comprehensive and original overview of this campaign material includes the first extensive review of the research literature on the topic. Posters, Propaganda, and Persuasion will be useful to scholars and students interested in communications, politics, history, advertising and marketing, art history, and graphic design.