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Line 1: − + − In regards to '''public opinion''':+ − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − + − {{stub}}
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'''Public opinion''' is the views of a group of people on a given issue. Public opinion is found through polls.
'''Public opinion''' is the views of a group of people on a given issue. Public opinion is measured through polls and is found by politicians who listen closely to their constituents. The American philosophy of [[Republicanism]] depends on the "consent of the governed" (as stated in the ''Declaration of independence''), so public opinion ultimately shapes all democratic decisions, whether wise or folly.
* Today, large-scale decision-making in [[America]] (and other nations) is, to a considerable extent, under the control of a kind of virtual "[[oligarchy]]", made up of [[corporation]]s, [[political group]]s, and [[media]]. All manipulate [[government]] to achieve their own ends and all use [[television]] and other forms of mass media to shape public opinion. <ref>http://www.transparencynow.com/news/preface.htm</ref>
[[File:OB-8-16.jpg|thumb|300px|Public opinion polls show that excitement for Obama was very high before people understood his plans; enthusiasm has plunged as criticism becomes sharper and strong opponents grow more numerous than strong supporters]]
==Manipulation==
A much debated question is how much public opinion can be manipulated by advertising or the media. In an open society with many sources of news and opinion, people can choose their own opinions based on the information they select and the friends and family they talk to, and the sources they trust.
When no opposition voices are allowed (as in totalitarian governments, or in wartime in democratic societies), the published media all go the same way. But even then it is a question how much the people trust that manipulated media, or rely instead on rumors and information passed around quietly..
==Further reading==
* Canes-Wrone, Brandice. ''Who Leads Whom?: Presidents, Policy, and the Public'' (2005) [http://www.amazon.com/Who-Leads-Whom-Presidents-Communication/dp/0226092828/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250480547&sr=1-13 excerpt and text search]
* Clawson, Rosalee A., and Zoe M. Oxley. ''Public Opinion: Democratic Ideals, Democratic Practice'' (2008) [http://www.amazon.com/Public-Opinion-Democratic-Ideals-Practice/dp/0872893049/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250480368&sr=1-8 excerpt and text search]
* [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=8971691 Crespi, Irving. ''Public Opinion, Polls, and Democracy'' (1989)]
* Erikson, Robert, and Kent Tedin. ''American Public Opinion: Its Origins, Content, and Impact'' (7th Ed. 2006), standard survey by experts
* Gallup, George. ''Public Opinion in a Democracy'' (1939), a classic early statement
* Irwin, Galen A. and Joop J. M. Van Holsteyn. ''Bandwagons, Underdogs, the Titanic and the Red Cross: The Influence of Public Opinion Polls on Voters'' (2000).
* Persily, Nathaniel, Jack Citrin, and Patrick J. Egan. ''Public Opinion and Constitutional Controversy'' (2008) [http://www.amazon.com/Opinion-Constitutional-Controversy-Nathaniel-Persily/dp/0195329422/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250480368&sr=1-11 excerpt and text search]
* [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=8540600 Moore, David W. ''The Superpollsters: How They Measure and Manipulate Public Opinion in America'' (1995)]
* Robinson, Matthew ''Mobocracy: How the Media's Obsession with Polling Twists the News, Alters Elections, and Undermines Democracy'' (2002)
* [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=89021667 Rogers, Lindsay. ''The Pollsters: Public Opinion, Politics, and Democratic Leadership'' (1949)]
*Warren, Kenneth F. ''In Defense of Public Opinion Polling''. (2002).
==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Political Terms]]
[[Category:Political Terms]]
[[Category:Media]]
[[Category:Media]]