A Practical Guide to Political Opinion
Politicians, business leaders, and media commentators rely on polls to guide their decisions. Yet, many people have doubts about how pollsters gather their data and interpret the results.
Political scientists have long emphasized the role of public opinion in shaping government policy. This guide explores key aspects of the concept.
Understanding Political Ideologies
Ideology is a collection of ideas, beliefs and principles that guide a person’s outlook on life. People’s ideologies help them make sense of social problems and steer government decisions. Ideologies play a major role in political activism, so understanding them is crucial to being an informed citizen and participating in politics.
Almost all ideologies harbor, at least implicitly, some conception of human nature and its basic drives and limitations. For example, a classical or contemporary libertarian may believe that human beings are naturally competitive and acquisitive; a socialist, on the other hand, may believe that these vices are nurtured by a deformed capitalist system that warps people whose true nature is cooperative and generous.
Ideologies also supply their adherents with a sense of orientation and identity. For example, communists emphasize the importance of class, while Nazis stress racial identity; libertarians may identify as members of a certain political party or movement; and feminists and antifeminists compete in what has been called the “culture wars.”
Analyzing Current Political Landscape
In a democracy, public opinion is the aggregate of views and attitudes that a significant proportion of a community holds on a political object such as a policy, politician or leader. It is also an important input into the decision-making process and may shape government actions and policies.
In countries where governments are authoritarian, opinions are rarely expressed publicly and some people may be persecuted or fear persecution for their beliefs. In such cases, the absence of a common political opinion makes it difficult to develop a popular movement against the state.
Moreover, the ideological polarization of politicians prevents legislative policy agreement on many issues. For example, in a recent survey and report from The Conference Board, 78% of companies characterized the current political environment as “extremely challenging” or “very challenging.” In addition, most respondents cited polarization and extremism among policymakers as a major cause for concern.
Developing Informed Opinions
Developing an informed opinion requires openness to multiple perspectives. It is a recognition that your own viewpoint is only one hue in a kaleidoscope of ideas and that the truth often lies in the nuanced interplay of diverse viewpoints.
Political opinions can include membership in a political party, expressed political, socio-political, or moral attitudes, and civic commitment. They can also refer to a person’s position on a specific issue or policy, such as whether they support or oppose racial equality.
People’s opinions on a particular issue are informed by their knowledge of the topic, their personal experiences, and their beliefs about the world. They can be uninformed, based on feeling alone, informed, based on observation and rational consideration, or a combination of both. The most knowledgeable individuals on a subject matter tend to have the most informed opinions on that topic. They should, therefore, be able to provide valuable insight into the nature and development of public opinion.
Engaging in Constructive Discourse
The key to productive discussions is to respect differing viewpoints, embracing diverse perspectives and fostering empathy. Practicing respectful dialogue enables individuals to explore alternatives and find common ground even when discussing difficult political topics. It cultivates a culture of inclusion and fosters intellectual growth, broadening perspectives and creating more compassionate global citizens.
In a classroom setting, this is especially important. Students may feel intimidated by a professor’s willingness to discuss controversial issues and may assume that they will be ridiculed if they voice a dissenting opinion.
A professor can help create a safe space for discussion by teaching students how to engage in constructive debate and how to address emotional hooks, triggers and hot buttons in a respectful way. For example, a professor can encourage students to focus on the ideas rather than the individual and frame disagreement as an opportunity for learning. This approach can also help avoid the pitfalls of ad hominem attacks and encourage more productive conversations.
Taking Action: Advocacy and Participation
Advocacy is the action of trying to bring about a change in systemic structures, such as government, school, or business. It can take on a number of different forms, including policy change (lobbying for new laws or changes to existing ones), community organizing, and equity work.
It can also include activities that are non-confrontational or collaborative, such as teachers and administrators listening to students to address their concerns or a nonprofit organization working with schools to expand programs for underserved families. However, there are also advocacy activities that are confrontational and oppositional, such as student protests or public campaigns against an issue.
Often, people become involved in advocacy for personal reasons, such as a desire to fight injustices and grievances that they see happening around them. However, for some, this is a way to get engaged in the civic process and build skills that will be useful in future activism.
Nearly all scholars of public opinion, whatever their perspective, agree that to count as public opinion, the following conditions must be met: there must be a topic being discussed; there must be a large number of individuals who express opinions on the topic; these opinions must reflect some kind of consensus; and this consensus must either directly or indirectly exert influence.
Whether or not you agree with this definition of public opinion, you cannot deny that it is a powerful force in contemporary politics. Understanding the origins and development of this phenomenon is an important goal for political scientists. The ability to interpret and analyze political data is equally vital. This book was written with these needs in mind. We hope that it will help you develop the skills to do just that.