Banana Republicans
Encyclopedia
Banana Republicans: How the Right Wing Is Turning America Into a One-Party State is a book
by Sheldon Rampton
and John Stauber
of the Center for Media and Democracy
. It was published in 2004.
In the book, Rampton and Stauber argue that a right-wing political machine, in the form of the Republican Party and its functionaries in the media
, lobbying
establishment and electoral system, is undermining dissent and squelching pluralistic politics in the United States
.
In writing Banana Republicans, Rampton and Stauber experimented with collaborative research, inviting Disinfopedia users to contribute their own research and analysis while the book was being written.
Book
A book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of hot lava, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf or leaflet, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
by Sheldon Rampton
Sheldon Rampton
Sheldon Rampton was the American editor of PR Watch, and is the author of several books that criticize the public relations industry and what he sees as other forms of corporate and government propaganda....
and John Stauber
John Stauber
John Stauber is an American writer and political activist who has co-authored five books about propaganda by governments, private interests and the PR industry...
of the Center for Media and Democracy
Center for Media and Democracy
The Center for Media and Democracy is a non-profit investigative reporting group. The CMD gives analysis and opinion on policies such as the economy, environment and national security...
. It was published in 2004.
In the book, Rampton and Stauber argue that a right-wing political machine, in the form of the Republican Party and its functionaries in the media
Mass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
, lobbying
Lobbying
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...
establishment and electoral system, is undermining dissent and squelching pluralistic politics in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
In writing Banana Republicans, Rampton and Stauber experimented with collaborative research, inviting Disinfopedia users to contribute their own research and analysis while the book was being written.
Table of contents
- Introduction: The War at Home
- Chapter 1: The Marketplace of Ideas
- Chapter 2: The Echo Chamber
- Chapter 3: The One-Party State
- Chapter 4: Pumping Irony
- Chapter 5: Block the Vote
- Chapter 6: Traitor Baiters
- Conclusion: The Three-Banana Problem