"One of Marshall McLuhan's outstanding contributions has been to bring into prominence the works of the late Canadian economist, Harold Innis, whose early insights into the importance of media to economics and culture have become increasingly pertinent. His thesis is that the communications systems of empires have influenced their rise and fall. In 'Empire and Communication' he discusses the possibility, with emphasis on economics, that communication may occupy a crucial position in the organization and administration of government and in turn of empires and of Western civilization." (Eleanor Blum, Frances G. Wilhoit: Mass media bibliography. 3rd ed. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1990 Nr. 203)