Synopses & Reviews
Government agencies have tended to attempt to project favorable public images of themselves as a method of building the public support they need to survive, all the more so in times of increasingly sophisticated communications and decreasingly available financial resources. This study analyzes NASA's efforts to build political support through its public image. Throughout its tumultuous history, the space agency has carefully tailored its use of basic images: nationalism (during the Mercury era), romanticism (during the Apollo era), and pragmatism (during the Shuttle era)--to fit its prevailing political circumstances. This in-depth study will be of keen interest to scholars in political science and political communication.
Review
Byrnes argues that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has responded to changes in its political environment by manipulating its image. His argument provides a useful framework. General; undergraduate through faculty.Choice
Synopsis
This study analyzes NASA's efforts to build political support through its public image.
About the Author
MARK E. BYRNES is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Middle Tennessee State University.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Nationalism
The Mercury Era
Romanticism
The Apollo Era
Pragmatism
The Shuttle Era
Transmitting the Images
Conclusion
Appendix
Bibliography
Index