This concept came about through the process of urbanization and other political and social forces.

Voters are called upon to choose candidates in elections, to consider constitutional amendments, and to approve or reject municipal taxes and other legislative proposals. The question of the people's capacity for self-government certainly troubled the Constitution's authors.

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Survey Report. Public opinion plays a number of important roles in a representative democracy. 11 The Role of Public Opinion in a Democracy. Importance of the Press in a Democracy and Formation of Public Opinion: Gettell is of the opinion that the press expresses its opinion through articles and the newspapers comment on many problems. Winston Churchill took the view that there was "no such thing as public opinion.

... What is the appropriate role for public opinion to play in a polity that values both democracy and republicanism? DEMOCRACY AND PUBLIC OPINION: TWO VIEWS.

Discuss the role of public opinion polls in politics and government. The representation of public opinion in public policy is of obvious importance in representative democracies. Public opinion plays an important role in the political sphere. Public Opinion in Democracy: Public opinion is the opinion, attitudes, likeness, judgement of the public regarding a particular matter, situations & issues of mutual interest. The Role Of Public Opinion In A Democracy: In a democracy, opinion is an active, factor.The people regard the government as an agency to which they have delegated power with-out releasing it from the obligation to respect the general will of the people. Public opinion plays a number of important roles in a representative democracy. In extreme situations, public opinion results in people being placed or removed from positions of power and influence. Supporters argue that polls are the only way for the opinions of all citizens to be measured. Most say ‘design and structure’ of government need big changes. Therefore, any governmental official has to take public opinion into account when deciding how to act. The role of public opinion in a democracy. The opinion of people is made up of different views or currents of sentiments in society. The people regard the government as an agency to which they have delegated power with-out reading it from the obligation to respect the general will of the people. Public opinion is the opinion which the people in general hold on questions of public interest of a certain time. Public opinion can act as a check on leadership, as the members of the public can express their dissatisfaction with politicians who refuse to take their opinions into account and vote them out of office. Public opinion is important in a democracy because the people are the ultimate source of power. Public opinion consists of the desires, wants and thinking of the majority of the people.

Political scientist Harold Lasswell once noted, “The open interplay of opinion and policy is the distinguishing mark of popular rule.” Harold D. Lasswell, Democracy through Public Opinion (Menasha, WI: George Banta Publishing Company, 1941), 15. This chapter comments on V. O. Key’s 1961 book, Public Opinion and American Democracy, an insightful look into the impact of public opinion on policy. Therefore, the representatives must at least pay attention to public opinion. While this facet of societal feedback is … Public opinion is important in a democracy because the people are the ultimate source of power. In the first place, when free play of opinion is assured, the whole process acts as a check on the overgrowth of power. So, public opinion is important in a democracy because the people have the right to remove their representatives from office. The role of public opinion varies from issue to issue, just as public opinion asserts itself differently from one democracy to another. Particularly in democratic systems, public opinion has the power to mold or influence public policy through its exertion of pressure on elected or appointed officials, and those seeking to be elected to office. The role of public opinion in a democracy Why public opinion ought to matter: The government's legitimacy rests on the idea that government exists to serve the interests of its citizens Why public opinion does matter: If politicians don't listen to the people, then they are unlikely to be reelected Discuss the role that public opinion has in the American political system. A government, whatever be its structure, is, after all, an organization of power. Perhaps the safest generalization that can be made is that public opinion does not influence the details of most government policies but it does set limits within which policy makers must operate. Public opinion polling has become an essential tool in public policy decision-making, election campaigns, and media reporting. From the birth of the American Republic, its citizens have been at the same time idolized and cursed, respected and distrusted, admired and feared, praised and damned.