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ERIC Number: ED172277
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1979-May
Pages: 25
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The Political Communication of Strategic Nuclear Policy.
Camden, Carl; Martin, Janet
A study of the different perceptual frameworks of the major parties involved in strategic nuclear policy was conducted by examining the interaction between the Executive Branch, Congress, and the informed public. Public political communication data were gathered from public documents generated by Congress and the Executive branch, and by examining selected letters to newspapers. Strategic themes cited in relationship to strategic subjects in the communications were identified. Subjects and themes were coded as nearly as possible in the original words used, and these were then collapsed into four subject areas and six themes, providing a category system for statistical analysis. Results indicate that the three major groups have widely different priorities and perspectives on strategic policy. The Executive branch takes a world-wide view and is most concerned with the effects of an issue on negotiations and international relationships. Congress's concern is with such practical matters as cost-effectiveness, and the public's perspective is vague and general. Such divergence, it is hypothesized, contributes to the often conflict-prone nature of strategic debate, although unity was found in a universal desire for stability. (DF)
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Eastern Communication Association (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 5-7, 1979)