The Radical Narrative, Political Thought and Praxis

This article offers a methodological refinement to the radical narrative of media history and advocates an exploration of the ideological dynamics of media texts as a crucial component of their praxis. Focusing on early to mid nineteenth-century utilitarian theory and praxis as exemplified in newspapers and pamphlets such as the Westminster Review, the Examiner and Pamphlets for the People, the article offers a sophisticated ideological critique which is intended to augment radical analyses of media history. This analysis allows a more focused and precise account of the ways in which early proto-liberal reformers used the press in their political strategy. Despite the Philosophic Radicals having democratic aspirations, the article identifies inherent paternalistic and oppressive components of this praxis which has their seeds in classical Greek political thought.