What is "public opinion"

n. The opinion of the public, the popular view.

n. a belief or sentiment shared by most people; the voice of the people; "he asked for a poll of public opinion" [syn: popular opinion, opinion, vox populi]

The desires wants and thinking of the majority of the people is called public opinion. Or the collective openion of the people of a society or state on an assue or problem . (ASSAD REHAN) The English term "public opinion" dates back to the seventeenth century work by John Locke, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, which contains an early consideration of the importance of public opinion in the ordering of politics. The term was derived from the French word l’opinion, which was first used in 1588 by Michel de Montaigne.

This concept came about through the process of urbanization and other political and social forces. For the first time, it became important what people thought, as forms of political contention changed.

It was introduced by James Madison that for a government to be democratic, it would be essential to have strong and knowledgeable citizens that hold educated opinions that could be shared and expressed. Active citizens would then use this knowledge to participate in their government, while also being able to inform other citizens of current issues. In terms of political science, public opinion is defined as being “the aggregate of public attitudes or beliefs about government or politics”. Public opinion is considered to be the factor that guides an indirect democratic government. It is only through the approval of the public that a government gains the authority to function. Public opinion is thought to develop from these main sources: “political socialization, education, life experience, political parties, the media, and the government”. Public opinion is considered a dynamic part of today’s government. Continually changing, it has the power and influence to shape the government in new ways.

Public Opinion is a book by Walter Lippmann, published in 1922. It is a critical assessment of functional democratic government, especially the irrational and often self-serving social perceptions that influence individual behavior and prevent optimal societal cohesion. The descriptions of the cognitive limitations people face in comprehending their sociopolitical and cultural environments make people apply an evolving catalogue of general stereotypes to a complex reality, rendered Public Opinion a seminal text in the fields of media studies, political science, and social psychology.

Public Opinion was a television entertainment programme hosted by Gyles Brandreth, and produced by BBC Scotland.

The game involved six celebrities being faced with four words; the celebrities were asked what word best described one person in the group.

The game was divided into four rounds; at the end of the game each celebrity made a decision as to who best represented all the four words. Gossip and revelations ensued until Brandreth revealed who 2,000 members of the general public thought was best represented by the four words.

Category:BBC Scotland television programmes

Public Opinion is a morning newspaper published seven days a week in the Greater Chambersburg area, including Franklin, Cumberland and Fulton counties PA.

The newspaper also publishes a weekly total market coverage product, The Advertiser, and a monthly Faith magazine.

Public Opinion is a surviving 1916 silent film murder/drama produced by Jesse Lasky and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It was directed by Frank Reicher and starred Blanche Sweet. Margaret Turnbull provided the original screen story and scenario. Public Opinion is one of very few of Blanche Sweet's Paramount Pictures films still in existence. It is preserved by the Library of Congress.

Public Opinion is a 1935 American drama film directed by Frank R. Strayer and starring Lois Wilson, Crane Wilbur and Shirley Grey.

Public Opinion'' (French:Rumeur publique'', Italian:Opinione pubblica) is a 1954 French-Italian drama film directed by Maurizio Corgnati and Goffredo Alessandrini and starring Daniel Gélin, Delia Scala and Giulio Calì.

Public opinion is the aggregate of individual attitudes or beliefs held by the adult population.

Public opinion may also refer to:

• Public Opinion (book), a 1922 book by Walter Lippmann
• “Public Opinion”, a character in Jacques Offenbach's operetta Orphée aux enfers, (Orpheus in the Underworld)
• Public Opinion (TV series), a BBC TV panel game
• Public Opinion (Chambersburg), a morning newspaper published in the Greater Chambersburg area
• Public Opinion Quarterly, academic journal published by Oxford University Press for the American Association for Public Opinion Research
• Watertown Public Opinion, American daily newspaper