Answer to Question #242351 in History for tjal

Question

• Where does public opinion fit into democracy?
• How attentive to public opinion should the government be?
• How attentive to public opinion is the government? 
• What happens (or should happen) when the government ignores public opinion?
• How is Boaty McBoatface an analogy for other US political systems and limitations of democracy?

Answer 1

The collective opinion on a certain issue or voting intention significant to a society is referred to as public opinion. Democracy necessitates public opinion since authority is derived from the people.

The public impact the government by their behaviors (e.g., how they vote and who they donate money to). Random sampling is used to gauge public opinion. Polls may be believed when they accurately represent the people.

Age, gender, income, interests, race, religion, employment, and other factors, as well as the economic condition during or surrounding a public issue, can all impact public opinion. The mass media, which includes television, magazines, radio, and newspapers, may also affect public opinion.

When and why should political leaders ignore popular opinion? When there are people with strong opinions but not necessarily strong minds. They have thoughts on issues that do not require the government's attention.

Former BBC Radio Jersey broadcaster James Hand jokingly proposed the moniker 'Boaty McBoatface,' which the audience loved, and it rapidly became the most popular option. The name has been characterized as a tribute to Hooty McOwlface, an owl named in 2012 through an 'Adopt-a-Bird' program that went viral on the internet.