Publishers as Gatekeepers of Ideas

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Abstract
Publishers stand at a crucial crossroads in the process of production and distribution of knowledge in any society. They are in a position to decide what is “in” and what is “out” of the marketplace of ideas. In the United States, the nature of the publishing industry has much to do with what kinds of materials are published. Decentralization of firms, a very unpredictable market and the peculiar internal organization of the industry itself all affect the situation. The personnel of publishing firms—editors, sales people and others—also have a role in the distribution of knowledge. The orientation of editors and their professional expertise are crucial. Publishing is no doubt one of the most complicated of enterprises, and its key role in shaping and distributing knowledge and culture makes it a key element for analysis.

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