Name: A History of Government Public Relations in the United States
SKU: 1-0364-4891-6
Availability: InStock

A History of Government Public Relations in the United States

By: Mordecai Lee

£78.99

This book presents a history of public relations in the American government. Unlike in business, government PR is driven by a democratic obligation for transparency. It emerged in the Progressive era, evolved under FDR, and continues to adapt to new media and technologies.

This book presents a history of public relations in the modern American administrative state. Because government agencies have a democratic obligation to be open and…

This book presents a history of public relations in the modern American administrative state. Because government agencies have a democratic obligation to be open and transparent, the practice of public relations by government is qualitatively different from that in business administration and nonprofit management.
The duty of government agencies to engage in public relations largely emerged during the Progressive era (1890-1920). It evolved significantly under President Franklin Roosevelt. He wanted citizens to know about New Deal programs they qualified for. During World War II, federal PR encouraged civic participation in the war effort. By the 1990s, the media’s traditional coverage of government faded, requiring agencies to communicate in new ways. Government PR continued evolving in the 21st century to take advantage of advances in technology.
This book relates to political science, American history, public administration, and communication/PR. It is intended as a textbook, by researchers, and for academic libraries.

Mordecai Lee is Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA, where he taught for 22 years. He authored 11 books and 70 articles. Lee received a PhD in public administration from Syracuse University, USA. Before joining the academy, he was legislative assistant to a Member of Congress in Washington, elected to five terms in the Wisconsin State Legislature, and executive director of a faith-based nonprofit. His academic interests are in American history, government PR, and nonprofit management. Cambridge Scholars Publishing has published four books of his writings on these subjects: The Emergence and Scope of the Voice of Government, A History of Public Administration in the United States, Congress Wrestling with the Rise of the Administrative State in the 20th Century, and A History of the American Nonprofit Sector.

Hardback

ISBN: 1-0364-4891-6
ISBN13: 978-1-0364-4891-2
Date of Publication: 2025-07-16

Ebook

ISBN: 1-0364-4892-4
ISBN13: 978-1-0364-4892-9
Date of Publication: 2025-07-16

Categories: Social Sciences, History, History, Politics, Marketing

Pages: 417

Subject Codes:

BIC: HBLW, JPP, KJSP
THEMA: NH(3MP), JPP, KJSP

Pages: 417

"Government public relations (GPR) is a rapidly growing field, making this book particularly timely for students, faculty, and researchers. It offers a comprehensive collection of the author’s most significant historical works on the history of public relations in American government. It underscores how GPR not only became integral to shaping the government’s public communications, but also adapted to the digital age and the political changes of the twenty-first century, all while maintaining its distinct focus on the citizenry. This book is essential reading for students and scholars in public affairs, public policy, and public management as well as history and communication. In particular, it’s a must-read for students in MPA and MPP programs."
- Aroon P. Manoharan Associate Professor, Department of Public Service, Sawyer Business School, Suffolk University, USA

Meet The Author

Mordecai Lee

The Fraught Balance of Politics and Bureaucrats in American Public Service

By: Mordecai Lee

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A historic tension defines American governance: the clash between presidents and the permanent, apolitical civil service. This book traces this power struggle from its origins to its explosive crisis during the Trump administration, exploring the future of the state.

Congress Wrestling with the Rise of the Administrative State During the 20th Century

By: Mordecai Lee

£77.99

The 20th century’s tectonic events created “big government.” As the bureaucracy grew, Congress fought for control. Now, conservatives challenge this “administrative state,” arguing it has too much power. This book provides the history behind this crucial modern debate.

A History of the American Nonprofit Sector

The Rise and Professionalization of Doing Good

By: Mordecai Lee

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This history of the American nonprofit sector covers its independence in a seminal 19th-century Supreme Court decision, its 20th-century professionalization, and modern challenges like lobbying. It also analyzes nonprofits in pop culture. A key text for researchers and students.

A History of Public Administration in the United States

The Rise of American Bureaucracy

By: Mordecai Lee

From £43.99

This book examines the emergence of American public administration. As a history of American bureaucracy, it focuses on pivotal events, highlighting major controversies including the field’s anti-democratic origins, Congressional hostility, and early limits on the role of women.

The Emergence and Scope of the Voice of Government

Propaganda, Civic Information, or Both?

By: Mordecai Lee

From £41.99

When government agencies communicate with us, are we getting self-serving propaganda or helpful information? This book examines the intersection of bureaucracy and propaganda, from wartime PR to presidential case studies and the pop culture image of government spokespersons.

A History of Government Public Relations in the United States

Hardback

Ebook

Subject Codes:

Recommended

Meet The Author