Discovering "The Significance of Communication": Harold Adams Innis as Social Constructivist

Abstract

The complexity of Innis' texts has led to the streamlining of his main ideas and arguments into a sharply reduced abstract. This study juxtaposes Innis' texts with this generally accepted précis and proposes its modification, mainly by way of understanding Innis as a social constructivist and communication determinist. On the basis of this construction, the study explores the origins of Innis' approach and methods, considering continuities from his earlier work in political economy, the influence of the Chicago School, and his perspective as a civically involved Canadian, academic and official. The article concludes by considering the relevance of Innis' ideas and approach to the analysis of our contemporary communications environment and the current state of communication research.