Political Economy Section

The Political Economy Section examines the role of power in the production, distribution and exchange of mediated communication. Drawing from the rich history of political economic theory, Section members study social relations in their totality, consider how they have developed historically, evaluate them according to standards of social justice, and intervene to bring about a more just and democratic world...

Co-chair: Ben Birkinbine (University of Nevada, Reno, USA) [Contact]
Co-chair: Gabriela Martínez (University of Oregon, USA) [Contact]
Vice-chair: Micky Lee (Suffolk University, United States) [Contact]
Vice-chair: Mandy Tröger (Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media, Germany) [Contact]

See the list of all current members of the Political Economy Section. 

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Section members have been rethinking political economy in the light of developments in various parts of the world including the relationship between globalisation and localisation; the production of goods and services by firms in China; commodification and commercialisation; liberalisation and neoliberal policies, ideology and culture and how these issues influence control over the news and politicians. They are also concerned with issues around democracy including the challenges of limited funds available to alternative media outlets; linguistic issues, organisational issues and political insecurity.

2025 Abstract Workshop

The Hive, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
9 January, 2025 - The Political Economy Section, along with guest panelist Peichi Chung (Chinese University of Hong Kong), will deliver an interactive workshop to help scholars prepare abstracts for the 2025 Singapore Conference. The session will cover topics such as evaluation criteria, reviewer roles, and the abstract selection process.

Political Economy book talk

Political Economy of Media and Communication: Methodological Approaches
On 14 October, the Political Economy Section hosted a book talk on Political Economy of Media and Communication: Methodological Approaches. The event featured contributions from the book's editors, showcasing diverse methodological perspectives and offering insights into the state of the field. Watch the recording here.
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