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Political economy of communication: a critique

Phil Graham (Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia)

Critical Perspectives on International Business

ISSN: 1742-2043

Article publication date: 7 August 2007

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Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to provide a critical understanding of contextual issues surrounding international business from a political economy of communication perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is based in classical dialectics and proceeds from a Marxian perspective. It includes a literature review of major theorists in political economy of communication and an analysis of present institutional relationships that frame international business in the context of corporatism.

Findings

The main argument is that current practices that dominate international business can no longer be considered as any kind of capitalism and that political economy of communication is necessary for comprehending this system. Current business practices are a form of corporatism in which ownership is separated from control, business is separated from industry, and the idea of a “going concern” is subject to “overriding concerns”. To understand the implications of these factors, political economy of communication needs new theories of value, labour, mediation, and meaning.

Research limitations/implications

The work is limited by the current pace of change, by alternative, non‐Marxist definitions of capitalism which are not taken into account here, and by the variegated nature of global business practices. The work is limited to dominant practices and definitive relationships.

Practical implications

The paper provides a useful perspective for understanding the future direction of international business, specifically in terms of communication, culture, and understandings of value.

Originality/value

This paper offers an alternative, non‐capitalistic view of “globalisation” within a Marxist framework and proposes a new theoretical and analytical synthesis for political economy of communication.

Keywords

Citation

Graham, P. (2007), "Political economy of communication: a critique", Critical Perspectives on International Business, Vol. 3 No. 3, pp. 226-245. https://doi.org/10.1108/17422040710775012

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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