Public Opinion in a Public Opinion in a DemocracyDemocracy

April 1, 2011April 1, 2011

ObjectivesObjectivesBy the end of this meeting, participants By the end of this meeting, participants

should be able to:should be able to:

a)a) Define public opinion.Define public opinion.

b)b) Argue in favor or against major Argue in favor or against major theories of democracy, positively or theories of democracy, positively or normatively.normatively.

c)c) Define the key terms we use to Define the key terms we use to understand public opinion.understand public opinion.

What is What is public public

opinion?opinion?

Historical DefinitionsHistorical Definitionsa)a) Ancient GreeceAncient Greece

b)b) RomeRome

c)c) Rousseau (1744)- the customs and Rousseau (1744)- the customs and manners of all members of society (not manners of all members of society (not just elites)just elites)

d)d) French authors in the 1780s used the word French authors in the 1780s used the word interchangeably with common will, public interchangeably with common will, public spirit and public consciencespirit and public conscience

e)e) By the 19By the 19thth century the word was common century the word was common among those who wrote about governmentamong those who wrote about government

Historical DefinitionsHistorical Definitionsa)a) While the word did not enter common While the word did not enter common

parlance until the 18parlance until the 18thth century, century, philosophers were interested in the philosophers were interested in the concept for centuries concept for centuries

b)b) Plato, Aristotle, Locke and Hobbes all Plato, Aristotle, Locke and Hobbes all saw public opinion as more the saw public opinion as more the aggregation of the opinions in aggregation of the opinions in society. They saw it as a mass entity society. They saw it as a mass entity with a strong potential to alter with a strong potential to alter society.society.

What is Public Opinion?What is Public Opinion?a)a) The public can be singular or pluralThe public can be singular or pluralb)b) Verbal expression of an attitudeVerbal expression of an attitudec)c) Disagreements of matters of Disagreements of matters of

preferencepreference• About issues that relate to governmentAbout issues that relate to government• Held by adults, including subgroups (i.e., Held by adults, including subgroups (i.e.,

the attentive public)the attentive public)• Preference includes affect (feelings) and Preference includes affect (feelings) and

cognition (the process of knowing)cognition (the process of knowing)

d)d) The preferences of the adult population The preferences of the adult population on matters of relevance to governmenton matters of relevance to government

Linkage between Public Opinion Linkage between Public Opinion and Public Policiesand Public Policies

a)a) Rational-Activist Model / Particpatory DemocracyRational-Activist Model / Particpatory Democracy• Voters should be involved, rational and activeVoters should be involved, rational and active• Voters should cast ballots for those closest to their issue Voters should cast ballots for those closest to their issue

preferencespreferences

b)b) Pluralism: Intermediary InstitutionsPluralism: Intermediary Institutionso Political PartiesPolitical Parties

• Voters choose the party that is closest to their preferencesVoters choose the party that is closest to their preferenceso Interest GroupsInterest Groups

• Interest groups play an intermediate role between elected Interest groups play an intermediate role between elected officials and the electorateofficials and the electorate

c)c) Delegate Model / Democratic ElitismDelegate Model / Democratic Elitism• Elected officials represent the attitudes of the public for Elected officials represent the attitudes of the public for

fear that will not be elected/ reelectedfear that will not be elected/ reelected

d)d) Sharing ModelSharing Model• Elected officials share beliefs with the broader publicElected officials share beliefs with the broader public

Public Opinion and Public PolicyPublic Opinion and Public Policya)a) Which one of theories comes closest Which one of theories comes closest

to your view?to your view?

b)b) What are strengths and weaknesses What are strengths and weaknesses of each view?of each view?

c)c) Do interest groups, parties, or Do interest groups, parties, or representatives come closer to representatives come closer to representing your opinions? Is that representing your opinions? Is that answer different at different levels of answer different at different levels of government?government?

TerminologyTerminologya)a) AttitudeAttitudeb)b) OpinionOpinion

a)a) ExtremityExtremityb)b) ImportanceImportance

c)c) DispositionsDispositionsa)a) ValuesValuesb)b) Identification (party)Identification (party)c)c) Are independents free from party Are independents free from party

identification?identification?

d)d) Beliefs (cognition)Beliefs (cognition)e)e) Emotions (affect)Emotions (affect)f)f) Positive vs. Normative AnalysisPositive vs. Normative Analysis

For April 8For April 8a)a) Read Clawson & Oxley, Chapter 2Read Clawson & Oxley, Chapter 2

b)b) What do you find most interesting What do you find most interesting about the inset, Box 2-1?about the inset, Box 2-1?

c)c) Write down a childhood experience Write down a childhood experience you’re willing to share that influenced you’re willing to share that influenced your outlook on politics.your outlook on politics.

d)d) April 4: No class.April 4: No class.

e)e) For April 6: Write!For April 6: Write!