In a democracy, opinion is an active, propelling 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. The opinion of a people is made up of different views or currents
of sentiments in a society. some currents, says Bryce, “develop more
strength them others, because they have behind them large numbers or
it
more intensity of conviction; and when one is evidently the strangest,
begins to be called public opinion par excellence being taken to embody
the views supposed to be held by the bulk of the people”. Public opinion is
thus on opinion which a people in general hold on questions of common
interests at a certain time.
Who constitutes a people? According to Sait, not every one within a
community can be regarded as contributing to the formation of the public
opinion. But yet the whole adult population, irrespective of voting rights
and irrespective of citizenship, generally share in the formation of the
public opinion.
The opinion of a community is seldom unanimous, George Cornwall
Lewis points out how there appears to be no alternative to counting the numbers and abiding the opinion of the majority. According A.B. Lourell,
the success of this somewhat mechanical method depends upon the
minority of accepting the validity of decision, after a full and free
discussion. Unless there is an ungrudging acceptance of the consequence
of electoral decision, consensus would disappear and the democratic
system undermined or up set.
On major issues of common interest there is often a variety of
views, some of which may be confused or incoherent. Discussions and
clarifications can diminish such confusion and diversity so that inter-
connected views gradually lake definite shape of there, the view which is
held by an apparent majority of citizens is called the public opinion. All
opinions, points out Lowell, involve a choice between different views
which may be rational, or based on conviction, or these may proceed from
feeling and emotion of the various agencies that help in the formulation of
public opinion, the people must be considered first. Among the human
beings, some play more prominent part than others, they may be referred
to as the formulators of public opinion, they are the persons who seriously
occupy themselves with public affairs whether in the capacity of
legislators, or journalists, or administrators, or professional politicians. To
this list may be added the scholars and researches who specialise in
various aspects of public life. taken together, these persons form a small
minority or the community; yet it is these person who make and would
public opinion by giving their reactions to policies and went as they occur.
Next, there are people whose interests or sense of civic duty makes them
given study attention to public affairs. They can differentiate also help in
spreading such opinion as they like and favour.
A large majority are indifferent to public affairs, knowing little and
thinking even less, the demands of earning a living in a competitive
society are said to leave him with little time for consideration of public
interests. They usually accent ready made opinions from others, from a
leader, or a neighbour, or some one else for whom they have regard.
It is important to study public opinion in order to understand the
working of the democratic government. The origin of the theory of public
opinion goes back to the time to Greeks, Romans and the French
revolution. In fact that actual phrase “Public opinion” was first used by
Rausseau on the eve of the French Revolution. Public opinion now a days
works as the watch dog of democracy. However, it is very difficult to
know what exactly public opinion refers to. Its meaning is very often misunderstood. Many people consider public opinion as the opinion if the
public i.e., people in majority. But public opinion is not that. Discussed in
simple terms “Public opinion may be called as the opinion of the people in
general on the questions of administration or general welfare. According
to Lord Bryce, public opinion stands for views men hold regarding matters
that effect the interests of the society or nation state. Prof. Sait defines
public opinion in his book “Public Opinion and Government.” In order
that public opinion may not just be majority opinion, it is necessary that
by conviction and
while the majority may not share it, they feel bound to
if democracy is complete the submission of minority must follow
ungrudgingly.
As opinion to be regarded as public must be the opinion of the
people. It may also be the majority opinion, but it should be meant for the
good of all sections of the public. Public opinion is always impelled by the
idea of common good or general welfare. An opinion may be regarded as
public when it is motivated by a regard for the welfare of the whole
society. Public opinion is rarely marked by unanimity. This is because
some sections of society may be selfish and may not approve of anything
that is contrary to their interest. For example a good number of people
who are drunkards may not like to approve the policy of prohibition,
though it is meant for the common good. Hence their opinion may not be
regarded as public opinion, because they are motivated by self interest. On
the whole an opinion even if the opinion of a small group of people which
contributes to common good is treated as public opinion.
The importance of public opinion cannot be under estimated in a
democratic state. A government in which public interests are neglected
cannot be called a democratic government. In a democracy it is desirable
that there should be provision for representatives of the people in law
making and law enforcing bodies. It is these representatives who should
establish contact with the people and study their aspirations. An alert and
intelligent public opinion is absolutely necessary for successful working of
a democratic society.
The following considerations need be kept in mind:-
1. Illiteracy is a curse for a good society. Therefore people
should be educated, that they can develop an interest in the
community by exchanging ideas. 2. Minimum Economic Standard must be achieved so that people
can better perform their responsibilities, and formulate better
opinions.
3. Homogeneity of Interest among the people should be
propagated, as equality of aspirations and interests can prove
the way for a healthy public opinion.
4. A healthy public opinion stipulates the minority community to
have the opportunity to express its thoughts freely.
5. The newspapers and the communication media like Radio and
T.V should keep their thoughts well balanced for the
betterment of the peaceful people.
The success of a democratic government largely depends upon the
formulation of an effective and healthy public opinion. Healthy public
opinion alone can make possible a proper relation between the voter and
enable the representative to ensure the control of the people on the
government and vice-versa. Therefore every democratic country must
provide due opportunity of freedom of thought and expression of opinion.
The following agencies particularly contribute the formulation of
enlightened public opinion.
1. NEWSPAPERS:- Unbiased newspaper are the since qua non
an enlightened public opinion. The editorials of the
newspapers offer’ guidelines to the country. The intellectuals
express their opinions to the people through the newspaper.
They also subject the actions of the government to criticism if
they are against the wishes of the people and express opinion
against such activities. The government must heed public
opinion and make changes in its policies where necessary.
Newspaper generally give an overall impression of the
socioeconomic, cultural and political activities of the state and
the society. Very often people formulate their opinion on the
basis of the comments of the newspapers. But sometimes
newspapers disturb the formulation of a socio-public opinion
by distorting the actual facts and by confusing the issues.
2. RADIO, CINEMA AND T.V.:- The influence of newspaper is
confined to the educated masses. Large number of people who
are illiterate, do not read newspapers. However they are
influenced to a great deal by the various programmes of radio
and television. Now a days television has surpassed the role o
cinema and radio. The people can hear the speeches leaders on nations subjects on the television on burning issues,
Their views on the problems of the country reach every nook
and corner and people are kept informed about the recent
changes in the country. The various plans and programmes of
the government at the centre and in the states or provinces can
be made known to the people through radio and television,
People can thus formulate their opinion on the basis of the
informations and programmes’ they see on the television or
hear on the radio. Cinema also plays an important role in
formulating the public opinion. Maximum care is also taken by
the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in producing
documentaries, which carry good socio economic and cultural
information.
3. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Universities, study circles, seminars, symposia etc., are also
important for the formulation of public opinion. Education
policies, programmes, lectures, debates, discussions, literary
societies, etc, which are highlighted by various educational
institutions tremendously influence for the formulation of the
public opinion. In turn, the ideas acquired in educational
institutions greatly influence the character of the students. It is
here that he takes to lofty ideals of citizenship. Fulfillment of
one’s duty and consciousness of the rights are the gifts of
educational institutions. Due to the knowledge acquired here,
a student is able to imbibe the ideas and ideals expressed by
teachers of wisdom, the educational institutions infuse high
national character among the students.
4. PUBLIC MEETINGS:- Public meetings, are also a strong
area for the formulation of public opinion. the leaders of the
country often organize public meetings at various places,
specially in big and important cities and towns of the country
and discuss important issues and problems before the public,
such glimpses are telecast by the T.V.
5. POLITICAL PARTIES:- Political parties are the foundation
stones of a democratic government. They educate the people
through their planned programmes. Different political parties
try to find out the best possible solution to some of the
important problems forcing the country through a process of
critical assessment of government policies. They churn and
rechurn the various issues and find out the best solution to
problems. Their ideas and wisdom are published in the papers and people can know of these. In fact political parties based
on political and economic ideologies contribute a lot to the
formation of enlightened public opinion in the country.
6.LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLES :-
legislative assemblies too contribute to the formulation of
The discussion in the
public opinion in the country. The published materials are
read by the people with great interests. In the legislative
assemblies and in the parliament learned people of various
parties express their opinions on current issues and problems
which greatly influence the public mind and in this way
become the basis of the public opinion.
7.RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS:- Religious institution also
shape and influence the public opinion. Throughout history
religion has tamed wild passions, refined man’s soul, and
energised man to advancement. Man is a moral being whose
ascent, as against Darwin’s descent, is towards the Divine.
He must therefore, strive to free himself from racial
intolerance, mechanical fatalism and pseudadeterminism.
Islam is a religion attend to human nature satisfying the
genuine needs of human beings.
8.POLITICAL LITERATURE – Experienced people in the
country write book and essays and critical commentaries on
various socioeconomic political subjects and create various
sorts of literature. The educated section of the country makes
use of this literature in the formulation of its opinion.
Democracy is real only when there is a strong effective public
opinion. we may reiterate the statement of Rousseau “Voice of
the people is voice of the God”.
Basically public opinion in a democracy is expected to represent the
ideas of a large majority. But these ideas are popular only when the
minority agrees to accept them peacefully. Besides, public opinion should
represent sound judgment based on accurate information. The prevailing
view of the role public opinion in a representative democracy is based on
the following assumption:-
1.The public has keen interest in public policy.
2.The public is capable of making rational conclusions.
3.The opinion is really popular throughout the society.
4.The opinion is strongly supported by the general public and is
fit enough to be taken up for approval during elections or
otherwise. 5.Public opinion deserves to be enacted into law.
The government in a democracy has to pay due attention to public
opinion. It may either respect and abide by it or it may try to control it
Even authoritarian governments pay attention to it but their attention
means exercise of rigid control over agencies of public opinion, with the
object of direction its flow in the desire direction. Democratic
governments also try to influence public opinion through various agencies.
Hostile public opinion creates great difficulties in the working of a
government. All governments try to maintain favourable public opinion.
Since public opinion comes to be determined mostly by the intellectual
leaders, governments try to influence these leaders and agencies through
which public opinion gets organised and expressed. In democracies,
governments also try to gauge public opinion through various means
influencing the public opinion by vested media. it is an organised scheme
for the propagation of ideas systematically and canvassed among people,
so that it moulds the public opinion. In common usage it is associated with
one sided presentation of a point of view, often appealing to emotions
rather than to reason. Hence even false hood is indulged in by interested
parties or leaders. In democracies there is more or less enough atmosphere
for all sides of a questions being presented, in order that individuals might
make balanced judgments. In authoritarian societies, the persons in power,
present one point of view only, often half-truths and arguments instead
facts, with ready made conclusions to flow from them. Propaganda is thus
called an effort to manufacture public opinion to a single group interest.
Democrats realize the importance of propaganda. This has led to the
growing importance of public relations men. Different agencies, including
government offices of communication (like the press, the radio and TV)
provide up to date information to influence the formation of a healthy and
balanced public opinion.