Abstract: The theory of political symbolism, which is among the mainstream theories of mass communication, came into being between the 1930s and 1940s. However, it did not gain wide acknowledgement in politics until 1980s. Political symbolism as a discipline applies the methodology of psychology, sociology, anthropology and so on, in analyzing the special political phenomenon of political symbolism in modern society from many perspectives. Scholars like Graham Wallas,C. Merriam,H. Lasswell,Edalman have made great contributions to the development and perfection of the theory. This article attempts to introduce the background, the theoretical framework and representatives of the theory of political symbolism, which is expected to shed light on studies of political promulgation in China.

Key words: political promulgation, political symbol, politics

摘要： 政治象征理论形成于20世纪30-40年代,是传播学主流理论之一,其价值被政治学广泛关注则是在1980年以后。政治象征理论综合了心理学、社会学、人类学等学科研究方法,对现代社会政治象征这一特殊的政治现象进行了多视角分析。格雷厄姆·沃拉斯、C.梅里亚姆、H.拉斯韦尔、艾德尔曼等学者对该理论的形成完善作出了突出贡献。本文对政治象征理论形成的时代背景、理论脉络和代表人物作一评介,以期对中国政治传播研究有所助益。

关键词: 政治传播, 政治象征, 政治学