Final answer:
Tripp's 'Civil Society addresses the struggles for media autonomy in the context of mass media's role in politics, the impact of new media on traditional sources, and how elements of popular culture like Hollywood and music affect political engagement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The topic of "Civil Society" by Aili Mari Tripp primarily explores the struggles for media autonomy. This subject falls under the broad category of Social Studies and delves into how media companies operate with certain biases and motivations, especially in the political context.
The main factor driving mass media companies is profit generation, which often leads to certain biases in content curation and dissemination. The emergence of new media platforms like social media has notably impacted traditional media sources by altering the way people consume information and engage with government and societal issues.
Social media can serve as both a positive and negative force in civic engagement, depending on its use for the dissemination of information or misinformation. Hollywood and music, as parts of mass media, can significantly influence political lives and public policy, either positively by raising awareness on critical issues, or negatively, by perpetuating stereotypes.
For instance, Green Day criticized the music industry for its influence over political engagement. Historically, television has been the most critical media access for candidates running for elected office due to its broad reach and influence over public opinion.