Public Opinion Lecture Notes PDF

Public Opinion Prof. Hanaa Farouk Saleh  Public opinion = public voice In democratic countries and USA in specific as pretended to be most democratic country in the globe. Each member of the electorate is interested in public issues, motivated by principles, aware of relevant facts...

Public Opinion Prof. Hanaa Farouk Saleh  Public opinion = public voice In democratic countries and USA in specific as pretended to be most democratic country in the globe. Each member of the electorate is interested in public issues, motivated by principles, aware of relevant facts and capable of make decisions rationally.  Defining public opinion The sum of private opinions (that one can express in public*) on any particular issue or set of issues(controversial) which affect or interest the community. Collective, majority represents 50+1% in period of time as the agenda changes and touches our interest direct or indirect and general interests (norms values) Express by a significant number, How much ??? * Spiral of silence  Public opinion is the aggregate ‫مجموع‬of the views of individual adults on matters of public interest. But Are we able to assess and measure the importance of issues accurately, Scientifically and exactly as they are??? Of course NO, Technocrats , opinion leaders and interest group pay more attention and are more knowledgeable about matters of public affairs,  State priorities, national concerns, security, tax, gun control, death penalty, law and order, foreign policy…  Although simple the definition, we must ask a number of questions about: Differences in intensity of opinion: - Can we treat all opinion equally? Party member comparing with who didn’t participate in political life or just never thought about the issue untill asked about it???  The division of opinions and the role of multiple publics.. Does public opinion matter??  Attitudes Vs. opinions Attitudes are generally defined as relatively enduring orientations toward objects that provide individuals with mental frameworks for making economical sense of the world. Opinions are the verbal expression of attitudes. (always????YES/No)