Public opinion is the intent and desire of the general population on political matters, determined through polls and personal contacts. It is important for politicians to consider public opinion to win elections and pass legislation. Politicians may go against public opinion for various reasons. Public opinion can change, and politicians must keep an eye on it, but being too dependent on polls can be seen as weak.
In politics, public opinion is a phrase used to convey the intent and desire of the general population on matters of political importance. It can be used to convey thoughts and feelings on both tax and social matters. One of the main ways to determine this is through polls, commissioned by various groups to determine what the ultimate will of the people is. Public opinion is often a hotly debated topic between various parties and politicians.
The importance of public opinion to politicians cannot be overstated. It helps them win elections and then, once elected, get their priorities straight through the political process. While it might be possible to pass a law without the favor of a majority of the public, having this makes the job much easier. Also, passing legislation that goes against the will of the public could create problems when the representative runs for re-election.
Polls are important when it comes to determining public opinion, but that’s not the only way to derive them. Voters often reach out to their elected officials to let them know their thoughts and feelings. Groups can organize call-out campaigns to various politicians when legislation of concern is being discussed. These personal contacts may or may not express the overall opinion of the majority of the public, and therefore are often considered alongside other sources of information.
Politicians can go against public opinion for a variety of reasons. One, they might have a hard time judging what the public’s opinion is. Second, they may feel that what they are doing is of such importance that it must go against public opinion for the good of the country or region. Three, they may feel they owe something to their political party, and therefore don’t want to go against the wishes of the party. Finally, they may feel that polls are worded in such a way that they don’t reflect people’s true opinion.
Like many things in a democracy, public opinion is likely to change from time to time. For example, during times of high energy prices, the public may be interested in expanding drilling for oil and other fossil fuels. If a disaster strikes or if energy prices fall, the pressure could change and the public could focus more on environmental issues.
If public opinion shifts too much, politicians who once enjoyed public mandate and widespread support could be caught off guard. Therefore, many politicians tend to study public opinion, keeping an eye on polls and other measures. At the same time, those politicians who are perceived as too dependent on opinion polls may be labeled as weak or lacking core values.
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