WASHINGTON – Dennis W. Johnson, a professor at GW’s Graduate School of Political Management, recently released his latest book, “Campaigning in the Twenty-First Century,” published by Routledge press. The book, released on Dec. 20, 2010, analyzes the way political campaigns have been traditionally run and the extraordinary changes that have occurred in the last decade, leading Dr. Johnson to conclude the practice is “a whole new ball game.”

Dr. Johnson looks at the most sophisticated techniques of modern campaigning—micro-targeting, online fundraising, digital communication, the new media—and examines what has changed, how those changes have dramatically transformed campaigning and what has remained fundamentally the same despite new technologies and communications.

Political campaigns have become more open and free-wheeling, with greater involvement of activists and average voters alike; some have even become chaotic and difficult to control. “Campaigning in the Twenty-First Century” presents daunting challenges for candidates and professional consultants as they try to communicate their messages to voters. Dr. Johnson argues, ironically, the more open and robust campaigns become, the greater is the need for seasoned, flexible and imaginative professional consultants.

Here’s what reviewers have said about Professor Johnson’s book:

"Dennis Johnson has done it again—produced a fascinating book on contemporary campaigning that is important, informative and a fun read. ‘Campaigning in the Twenty-First Century’ explains how technology has changed campaign communications and message targeting at a level of precision hardly imagined when we began to use today’s must-have devices a mere fifteen years ago. Beginning and advanced students of campaigns alike will want to read this book."
—Robin A. Kolodny, Temple University

"In this well-written and comprehensive book, Dennis Johnson explains several of the most profound changes in professional campaigning and campaign management over the past decade. ‘Campaigning in the Twenty-First Century’ deserves praise for its exceptional insights into the dynamics of the modern political campaign. It belongs in any course on campaigns and elections, and comes highly recommended for anyone who wants to understand how campaigns operate in the twenty-first century."
—Peter L. Francia, East Carolina University

"’Campaigning in the Twenty-First Century’ is a thoroughly original and refreshing account of modern campaigning, steeped in practical observations and grounded in the latest scholarship. Recommended to practitioners, professors and the public at large."
—David C. King, Harvard University

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dennis W. Johnson is a professor of political management at the Graduate School of Political Management, George Washington University. He is author of “No Place for Amateurs: How Political Consultants Are Reshaping American Democracy,” Second Edition, and “Congress Online: Bridging the Gap Between Citizens and Their Representatives;” and editor of the “Routledge Handbook of Political Management and Campaigning for President 2008.” For ten years he owned his own political research consulting firm.

ABOUT GW’S GRADUATE SCHOOL OF POLITICAL MANAGEMENT

GW’s Graduate School of Political Management is the nation’s preeminent school of applied politics, offering graduate programs in political management, legislative affairs, strategic public relations and PAC management, as well as international programs in Latin America and Europe. The school seeks to improve politics by educating its students in the tools, principles and values of participatory democracy; preparing them for careers as professional, ethical and effective advocates and leaders at the international, national and local levels.