At an increasing rate, Americans separate themselves into culturally and ideologically homogeneous enclaves. Last week there were two telling incidents — one small, the other more consequential — that spoke volumes about the state of our national life.

Abstract: In the last 20 years, advertising has become a mass phenomenon influencing the whole society. A complete explanation of its mechanism and effects, however, is not found in marketing textbooks.

Abstract: The article describes the four main studies dealing with the concept of opinion leadership: the studies People’s Choice, Rovere, Decatur and Elmira. Out of these four, three were authored or co-authored by Paul Lazarsfeld.