Stephen Hess
Stephen Hess: A Pioneer in Communications Research
===========================
Full Name and Common Aliases
Stephen Edward Hess was born on April 2, 1926, to a family of modest means in New York City. His full name is often abbreviated as Steve Hess.
Birth and Death Dates
Hess was born on April 2, 1926, and passed away on July 21, 2020, at the age of 94.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Stephen Hess was an American communications researcher, scholar, and author. He held dual citizenship with the United States and Canada.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a low-income household, Hess was the second child to his parents. His early life was marked by challenges, including poverty and frequent moves. Despite these obstacles, he found solace in reading and writing. Hess's interest in politics and communication began at a young age, influenced by his father's involvement with the Communist Party.
Hess attended public schools in New York City before enrolling in Brooklyn College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1948. He then went on to earn his Master of Arts degree from Columbia University in 1951 and his Ph.D. in 1957.
Major Accomplishments
Stephen Hess's academic career spanned over five decades, during which he made significant contributions to the field of communications research. Some of his notable achievements include:
Founding Director: Hess was appointed as the founding director of the Center for Contemporary American Studies at Georgetown University.
Communications Researcher: He conducted extensive research on various topics, including presidential communication, media and politics, and public diplomacy.
Author: Hess authored numerous books and articles, exploring the intersection of politics, communication, and culture.Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works and actions attributed to Stephen Hess include:
"Presidential Communication: The Nixon Years" (1981) - a seminal study on presidential communication during the Nixon administration.
"The Media and American Politics" (1996) - an analysis of the relationship between media and politics in the United States.
Testimony before Congressional Committees: Hess was often called upon to provide expert testimony on matters related to communications research, including his role as a member of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy.
Impact and Legacy
Stephen Hess's contributions to the field of communications research have had a lasting impact on scholars, policymakers, and practitioners alike. His work has:
Informed policy decisions: Hess's research has influenced public diplomacy initiatives, media regulation policies, and crisis communication strategies.
Trained future generations: He mentored numerous students and researchers who went on to become leading experts in their fields.
Inspired new areas of study: Hess's work has sparked further exploration into the complexities of presidential communication, media politics, and public diplomacy.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Stephen Hess is widely quoted and remembered for his:
Innovative research approaches: He pioneered new methods in communications research, including content analysis and social network analysis.
Insightful commentary on current events: Hess's writings have provided timely insights into the role of media in shaping public opinion and influencing policy decisions.
Commitment to public service: Throughout his career, he has remained dedicated to applying his expertise for the betterment of society.
Quotes by Stephen Hess
An adequate withdrawal by mid-year 2006 could neutralize Iraq as the overriding issue of the mid-term congressional elections.
A month from now, if Katrina is still dominating the headlines, he really is in bad shape,
He really came into his second term with a series of robust proposals, and he's accomplished none of them. His circumstances have shifted dramatically.
How much is this going to be a national election? Clearly, the Republicans will hope it's not. ?All politics is local will be their mantra.
I don't think this is going to be one of those historic State of the Union messages. When people talk about new initiatives, they cost money. He's run out of wiggle room there.
I don't think they're necessarily better than some past administrations in terms of the spin. What they have done which distinguishes them ... is how close-mouthed they are.
I don't want to call it only cosmetic, because these things do have an effect, but how profound the effect is, that I would question. Much of this is not about policy, it's about motion. It shows that they are responding; that they are moving.
If he loses two houses of Congress, or even one, the last two years of his presidency are toast.
By never having used a veto, either everything has gone his way--which is never true in this world--or he's been able to reach an agreement. When politics gets into this range of right and wrong, religion and morality, it is increasingly difficult to compromise.