POL SCI 40 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Miranda Warning, Meddle
Document Summary
Said public opinion was those opinions held by private persons which governments find it prudent to heed. Public opinion surveys are about gathering opinions that somebody in the government thought it was important to know. Expressions of public opinion help people learn that others share their beliefs. Also helps government solve collective action problems. Leaders know when there is a mandate . A public is a thing, it can"t have an opinion. Public opinion is the sum of individuals" opinions. Whole is greater than sum of parts because it has force. As a person, you have attitudes about issues, ideas, morals. Your expression of these attitudes is your opinion. Consistent sets of attitudes: in favor of protecting civil liberties and being tough on crime; and believe it is ok if a guilty person goes free because s/he was not read miranda rights when arrested.
