Habermas and the public sphere

Abstract

It is now over 20 years since Habermas’ concept of the public sphere was introduced to Anglo-Saxon media studies, since when it has undoubtedly become and, on the evidence of the books under review, continues to be a major thematic perspective in media analysis. Over that period Habermas’ original conception of the public sphere, as stated in The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere has been subjected to a number of critiques which are well outlined by Goode as well as Crossley and Roberts. Habermas has himself accepted many of these critiques. Indeed, as his own thought has developed, he has in many cases moved beyond them. Again, both Goode and Crossley and Roberts take good account of these developments in Habermas’ thinking. I will return in a moment to these critiques and debates, in order to assess where I think we have now got to with public sphere theory. REVIEW ESSAY