Criticism, Communication and Debate in a Public Environment: An Analysis of the Obama vs. McCain Presidential Debates

Abstract

This paper focuses on political or adversarial communication as an information source in decision-making. One of the best-known instances of such mass communication is the televised series of us presidential debates in which competing strategies for future government decisions and actions are presented. The paper considers models of communication and debate in a public environment, focusing on the types of communication associated with criticism and counter-criticism manifested in political debates and management of public affairs. The paper proposes: (i) a normative model showing how communication can be conducted, including a development process for criticism and alternative strategies; (ii) a model of organizational excellence and rational criticism in public management; and (iii) a content analysis of three Obama-McCain presidential debates with a multidimensional scaling and delphi method application. Causes of the economic crisis and strategies for solution were identified. This research provides information of value for prospective analysis in current situations of uncertainty.

Keywords: Communication, Debate, Criticism, Public Management, Obama, McCain, Presidential Debate, Economic Crisis, Decision Making

JEL Classification: D72, P16, E6, I18, J18, P43