Finding
Allen attacks professionalization, which he argues reflects corporate values and By David S. Allen
Paper
Democracy, Inc.: The Press and Law in the Corporate Rationalization of the Public Sphere by David S. Allen Urbana-Champaign: University of Illinois Press, 2005. 192 pp
Abstract
ing agreement over the community's political goals out of society's heterogeneous mix of interests. Reasoned dialogue in the public sphere becomes central to modem democracy, and the enhancement of that dialogue emerges as the press's key task. Havingestablished this critical normative standard,Allen can then chart the deficiencies of contemporary press performance and constitutional jurisprudence. Central to his analysis is what he labels "corporate rationalization," that is, the dangers posed to the public sphere by the intrusion of corporate values. In such corporate thinking, an emphasis on technical expertise, efficiency, profit maximization, and managerial control triumphs over the public sphere's more open and horizontal circuits of communication along with its consideration of not just the most efficient means, but also the goals desired. Democracy, Inc. outlines four aspects of the corporate rationalization of journalism and law. Chapter 3 focuses on the history ofthe press profession, most especially during the Progressive Era. Allen attacks professionalization, which he argues reflects corporate values and By David S. Allen
Authors
R. Kaplan
Journal
American Journalism