Public Relations and Community: A Reconstructed Theory

Public relations is commonly viewed as using "persuasive communications" to achieve a client's vested goal. Kruckeberg and Starck challenge this oversimplified approach, asserting that public relations is a complex, multi-flow process that should--and can--affect society as a whole. In Part I, they examine critically the historical definition and practice of public relations, outlining the shortcomings of this narrow approach. Part II explores how the "community" itself has changed. Such issues as the shift from rural to urban life and the attempt to regain a sense of community are discussed. Part III attempts to reconcile the authors' new notion of public relations and community through an in-depth case-study. The results lead the authors to conclude that only if public relations is practiced as an active attempt to build a sense of community can it become a full partner in the communications milieu.Dean Kruckeberg is the author of 'Public Relations and Community: A Reconstructed Theory', published 1988 under ISBN 9780275929114 and ISBN 0275929116.