The role of public opinion in politics (Essay Sample)

Name: Tutor: Subject: Date: The Role of Public Opinion in Politics Introduction In political science, the public opinion refers to the collective beliefs and attitudes of the society towards issues that are of political interest. For this reason, it suffices to say that this concept applies in democracies since politicians and the government, in general, gain their authority from public approval. The rise of populist forms of government in most parts of the world necessitated the need for politicians to consider citizens’ input in their approaches to leadership and policymaking. The topic of public opinion is worth exploring as it influences political actions, especially in countries where the government advances and protects civil liberties. Specifically, the proposed research study will explore the role that public opinion plays in politics, its potential impacts, and the effect of citizen discourses on political processes. Theoretical Framework The delegate model of representation is critical since it influences the understanding of the impact of public opinion in democratic nations. Gray and Stockbridge posit that this theory expounds on the role of politicians as spokespeople of the citizens who elected them into the office (139). Moreover, the model correlates with the concept of public opinion since, in most democracies, the politician's role is to represent the will of the majority. Concerning public opinion, the political actions of the voters determine largely the type of leaders they elect based on the type of representation they seek. For instance, when the citizens choose a legislator to act as their trustee, they often base their decision on the need for the latter to pursue policies that “promote the general welfare” (Fox and Shotts 1225). The voters, therefore, expect this type of leader to act in the interests of the public. On the other hand, voters may choose politicians to act as their delegates, thereby pursuing popular political strategies. The research study will, therefore, explore the relationship between various variables, including public opinion, policy formulation, and democracy. Analysis of Organizational Principles The impact of public opinion on political matters is of great interest to political scientists who seek to explore the extent of citizen representation in the political process. Besides, special interest groups aid in shaping various discourses, thereby presenting specific ideas to the public. For instance, during election periods, the media uses public opinion polls to shape the citizens' opinions regarding the frontrunners. With this in mind, it is crucial to explore the extent to which special interested groups and corporate organizations shape public opinion. Moreover, it is necessary to conduct the proposed research to develop an understanding of the processes that mould popular belief. For instance, some of the factors that shape public opinion include historical events, mass media, and peer influence. Considering that politicians may manipulate the beliefs of the citizens, it is also vital to establish as to what extent the latter influence the actions of their leaders. In other words, the proposed research will shed light on the extent to which public opinion reflects informed choice. Significant Occurrences My desire to research the impact of public opinion arose because I am passionate about democracy and the need to incorporate citizens’ ideas in government policy. Moreover, I felt that it was necessary to carry out this study considering that we live in an era where technology provides us with the opportunity to engage in public discourses. In particular, I looked forward to learning more about the impact of opinion polls and surveys on politicians' actions and more so on policy formulation. I believe that this research is significant since it contributes to the general understanding of not only the factors that shape popular belief but also the manipulative approaches used by politicians to push specific agendas to the public. Moreover, I think that the topic choice for the research makes sense since it addresses crucial issues that highlight the contribution of citizens in political processes. In my opinion, it is necessary to engage the public in governance through their elected representatives as a means of meeting the needs of the former. In my analysis, I came across a research article exploring the impact of media reporting on opinion polls in shaping policies that the majority of the citizens consider favorable. According to Toff, news reports that highlight public attitudes contribute towards “greater policy conformity” (7). This argument makes sense since it highlights the approaches the public may use to push agendas and influence politicians to make and amend laws that cater to their needs. Specifically, the research article highlights the role of the media in influencing the actions of political leaders in line with the wishes of the citizens. In other words, Toff’s article underscores the value of the theory of delegate representation, which posits that politicians are representatives of their constituents. For this reason, leaders ought to take into consideration the wishes of the citizens in the formulation of public policies. Furthermore, I found the research article by Toff meaningful as it directly addresses the research question by proposing the role of popular belief in politics. For instance, the author’s argument leads to the understanding that public opinion facilitates decision making among leaders. In essence, the popular belief is necessary for the transformation of political visions into actions that improve the lives of the citizens. The findings of the research by Toff are consistent with my belief that leaders are representatives of their voters. In other words, the analysis did not alter my values but only strengthened my understanding that elected leaders should shun self-interests. Indeed, conflict is an inherent component of social life, and politicians can minimize its effect by addressing the needs of the public (Galston 12). Indeed, the politics of public interest minimize overt conflict in the society since the elected lea...