PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 6 Public Opinion

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 6 Public Opinion Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 6 Public Opinion

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is meant by Public Opinion? Discuss its main characteristics.
Or
Explain the meaning of Public Opinion. Examine its importance and role in a democracy.
Answer:
Public opinion is of utmost importance in a democracy. The administration is run in accordance with the public opinion. A government which does not function according to public opinion, cannot stay in office for long. In democracy authority rests with public and the public exercises this authority through its representatives. Normally the representatives perform their duties in accordance with the wishes of the people. The will of the people is generally called the public opinion.

Definition of Public Opinion:
The simple meaning of ‘Public opinion’ is the opinion of the public. Different scholars have defined ‘public opinion’ differently. Public opinion means the opinion of the public over public issues, but what is meant by the opinion of the public ? All the people cannot have a unanimous opinion over an issue. There may be any problem in society, different people will offer different solutions to solve it.

During such a situation should the government act according to the opinion of the majority ? But the opinion of majority is only majority opinion and not the opinion of whole body of the people. The opinion of the majority cannot be called the true public opinion because the majority may have its own view-point and it may not be the view-point of all the people. According to Bryce, “Public opinion is commonly used to be aggregate of views which men hold regarding matters that affect the community.”

According to Loswell, “In order that opinion may be public, a majority is not enough and unanimity is not required but the opinion must be such that while the minority may not share it, they feel bound by conviction, not by fear to accept it and if democracy is complete the submission of the minority must be given ungrudgingly.”

Dr. Beni Prasad says that only that opinion can be called public opinion which aims at the welfare of the people. According to William Albig, “Public opinion is the expression of all those members of a group who are giving attention in any way to a given issue.” We can say that the opinion of the majority to which the minority is not opposed to, or the majority has taken the minority into confidence can be called public opinion.

Main Features of Public Opinion:
1. General Agreement:
Most important feature of public opinion is that there should be general agreement. If all the people don’t agree on a particular issue, the opinion of the majority must be favourable.

2. People’s Interest in Problems: People must have at least some interest in studying the problems of government.

3. Public Welfare: Public opinion aims at common good and not at the welfare of the individual.

4. Public Opinion is Permanent:
A momentous and sentimental opinion reflected by the masses can’t be called public opinion. It is rather a permanent view of the people as it is based on reason and logic.

5. Public opinion is based on sound principles of reason and is not prejudiced opinion.

6. Presence of a leader or leaders of the group, who take upon themselves the task of formulating public opinion.

7. Public opinion is not always related with the activities of the state. Sometimes public opinion is formulated to remove social evils.

8. Democracy promotes public opinion.

9. Morality is always an important factor behind public opinion.

Importance of Public Opinion in a Democratic State:
Democracy is a synonym of popular government or people’s rule. The people through their right to vote can control and influence the government of their country. The people rule through their elected representatives who are subjected to the continuous control and influence of the people through pressure of public opinion. Abraham Lincoln has defined democracy as, “Government of the people, by the people and for the people.”

The justification of government by public opinion lies not in any assumption that the people would always be in the right but in the belief that on the whole it is more likely to be right than the opinion of an individual or a mere group. The government in democracy draws its authority from the public. No government can rule the country if public opinion is against it. In case the public opinion goes against the government, the government is to resign.

Public opinion is a great check on the representatives. No minister or representative of the people can afford to be dictatorial because by doing so the public opinion will go against him. If the public opinion goes against a representative he cannot continue in his office for long. Public opinion does not give the ministers an opportunity to feel intoxicated with the wine of authority. Public opinion makes the ministers realize that they are the servants of the people and not their masters and they should work for public welfare.

Public opinion serves as a lighthouse for the government. All the laws of the State emanate from the popular will. It is the popular view which is finally crystallized into law by the State. Only those laws which are based on public opinion can command willing obedience of citizens. ‘Voice of the people is the voice of God’. A State in which government is responsible and responsive to public opinion will enjoy greater peace and security and will have less chances of revolutions.

Question 2.
Discuss the role of various agencies in formulation and expression of Public Opinion.
Or
What do you understand by the words ‘Public Opinion’? What is the role performed by political parties, educational institutions and Modern Audiovisual (Electrical) media in forming of Public Opinion?
Answer:
Meaning of Public Opinion:
Public opinion is of utmost importance in a democracy. The administration is run in accordance with the public opinion. A government which does not function according to public opinion, cannot stay in office for long. In democracy authority rests with public and the public exercises this authority through its representatives. Normally the representatives perform their duties in accordance with the wishes of the people. The will of the people is generally called the public opinion.

According to William Albig, “Public opinion is the expression of all those members of a group who are giving attention in any way to a given issue.” We can say that the opinion of the majority to which the minority is not opposed to, or the majority has taken the minority into confidence can be called public opinion.

2. People’s Interest in Problems: People must have at least some interest in studying the problems of government.

3. Public Welfare: Public opinion aims at common good and not at the welfare of the individual.

5. Public opinion is based on sound principles of reason and is not prejudiced opinion.

6. Presence of a leader or leaders of the group, who take upon themselves the task of formulating public opinion.

7. Public opinion is not always related with the activities of the state. Sometimes public opinion is formulated to remove social evils.

8. Democracy promotes public opinion.

9. Morality is always an important factor behind public opinion.

The simple meaning of ‘Public Opinion’ is the opinion of the people on public matters. But for public neither majority nor unanimity is essential. The public opinion is the opinion of the majority, accepted by the minority and it is for the good of the whole society. The success of democracy depends on the formation of healthy public opinion. Generally the following agencies contribute to the formulation of enlightened public opinion.

1. Public Meetings and Resolutions:
Public meetings stimulate and create public interest in great political, social and economic questions through speeches delivered by men in the fore-front of public life. These speakers educate the public about important matters at home and abroad and help the growth of public opinion with regard to them. For the purpose of discussing all issues concerning the country, public meetings are becoming more and more common and popular.

Through public meetings direct appeal can be made to the public. The written word cannot achieve what the spoken can because the appeal of the latter goes direct to the heart. The common people come to know both the sides of the picture as presented by the supporters and the opponents of a public matter and form their opinions. Resolutions are passed in the meetings and they are the expressions of public opinion. They can serve a very useful purpose for the expression of public opinion if their criticism is honest and constructive.

2. Press/Media:
The press/media is a very important source of formulating public opinion. It consists of magazines, journals, books and newspapers etc. Public opinion is formed by newspapers by presenting news and views on matters of public importance of national, international character; publishing statements of the representatives of the people and the ministers, reporting the proceedings of legislature, public meetings and conferences. It makes its own comments on important events and brings it to the notice of the public. It criticises the government if its policies and actions are not in the best interests of the people. It offers constructive suggestions to the government on public matters.

With the spread of education, the importance of press is increasing. Vital and valuable improvement and changes in the life of the society and the structure of the government can be affected if the press works on the right and constructive lines. The great influence which the press yields is liable to be misused when it is exercised in advancing the interest of a group of selfish men. It is essential that the press should be free to discuss what is true and fair in the public interest.

3. Political Parties:
To a very great extent the growth of public opinion is helped by political parties. It is party propaganda more or less which brings important public questions within the knowledge of average citizen. Parties help to create public interest without which there can be no public opinion. The political parties aim at capturing the governmental authority through constitutional means. They try to build up as large a following as possible. They carry on their propaganda in order to convey their point of view to the public. They educate the public by issuing election manifestoes, publishing pamphlets and books, making use of the platform. In all democratic countries there exist well organised political parties.

4. Political Literature:
Political parties distribute their literature to the public. The parties explain their view-point regarding current political, social and economic problems in it. They criticise the stand of the government and offer other programmes to the public. Parties start their newspapers and they become the vehicle of their viewpoint. Literature also serves as an important instrument for spreading knowledge and expression of opinion. The views expressed by great writers are read with enthusiasm and they influence public opinion.

5. Educational Institutions:
It is in the schools, colleges and universities that the life of the would-be citizen is moulded. It is here that his mind is trained and he begins to form opinions. The age of the students is quite impressionable and therefore the political education starts at this age. The children of today are the administrators and ministers of tomorrow. Through education, they get knowledge of their country and the world at large. They grow up into enlightened citizens and take active part in public affairs. They start thinking independently and refuse to borrow readymade opinions.

6. Broadcasting:
The Television and radio occupy very important position in modern life. These are important agencies of forming public opinion. They brings news and views to the public. They mould public opinion by broadcasting news and comments. Talks on current problems are arranged. These are powerful agencies of public opinion because they combine entertainment with education. They establish a living contact between the government and the people.

7. Cinema:
The cinema like the radio & T.V. plays an important role in forming public opinion. People can be made to know about the political, economic and social condition of the country through cinema. People can be told about social evils through social pictures. Cinema is a powerful agency for the education of the people. The knowledge which it imparts is more direct and more effective because it is given through amusement. The use of news-reels and documentary films is becoming very popular. They can arouse the interest of the common people in urgent social, economic and political problems.

8. Legislature:
Modern legislatures consist of representatives of the people. These representatives are elected from all parts of the country. They represent different political parties of the country. The main function of the legislature is to make laws and while doing so, they provide several chances for discussion of public problems. The public takes a living interest in the parliamentary debates and speeches. The government supports its measures

whereas the opposition criticises them and suggests desireable remedies. Whenever the government does anything wrong, it comes under severe criticism from the opposition benches. When the budget is discussed, the working of each department of the government is discussed thoroughly. Legislatures can be rightly called the moulders of public opinion.

9. Elections:
General election is an important opportunity for the political parties to win the support of the public. During this period the political parties and other independent candidates start their propaganda with full force. They express their view-point over all the problems of the country. Their main aim is to capture the votes of the people. The elections are contested on definite programmes and as such, they are an important method for the expression of public opinion. They enable the people to express their approval or disapproval of certain programmes or policies preached by the various political parties in the country. They are a very great source of the expression of public opinion in the country.

10. Religious Association:
Social and religious associations are closely connected with each other. Social and religious customs and traditions have also a close association with each other. Religious leaders raise their voice against social evils. Many political parties in India are based on religion. Religious associations express their view-point on social and political problems. These associations very much mould the public opinion.

Question 3.
What are the hindrances in the way of the formulation of a sound Public Opinion? What are the necessary conditions for formulating sound Public Opinion?
Or
Explain the hindrances in the way of the formulation of a sound public opinion.
Answer:
Democratic system is based on public opinion. But the public opinion should be fair, honest and just.
Following are the obstacles in the way of sound public opinion:
1. Illiterate People:
Illiteracy is a big hurdle in the way of the creation of sound and honest public opinion. The uneducated people cannot understand the problems of the country properly and thoroughly. They cannot distinguish between good and bad or right and wrong. Tactful politicians get the votes of uneducated people by making false promises with them. Moreover, the uneducated people are more conservative than the educated people and they do not take much interest in progressive measures and it is harmful to national interests.

2. Indifference of People towards Political Activities:
The Uneducated people do not take interest in political activities and public affairs and hence it becomes difficult to create a sound public opinion. If the people of a country do not take interest in the problems of the State and are indifferent to the solutions of the problems, they cannot help in the creation of sound public opinion. If the people are not politically awakened they cannot become
good citizens. The uneducated people do not have their own opinion and they follow others in all matters.

3. Poverty:
Poverty is a big obstacle in the creation of sound public opinion. Where there is no equal distribution of wealth and some are rich and the others are poor, sound public opinion cannot be created. The rich purchase the votes of the poor and the hence the poor cannot exercise their right to vote according to their will. The poor also do not get enough time to think over the problems of the State. A hungry man is always worried about making his both ends meet and he can spare no time for thinking about national or international problems. A poor man cannot express his opinion independently. Moreover due to lack of education the poor people cannot understand public matters well.

4. Absence of Rights and Liberty:
If the people do not enjoy rights and civil liberties they cannot create a sound public opinion. If the people do not enjoy the right to freedom of speech and expression and the right to criticise the government they cannot create sound public opinion. They can know about the activities of the government only through newspapers. But if the newspapers do not enjoy complete freedom then the people are always misled and sound public opinion cannot be created.

5. Political Parties based on Wrong Principles:
The political parties which are based on religion, caste and language etc., are a big hindrance in the creation of true public opinion. The parties , should be based on political or economic principles and the parties which are based on communal principles, do not help in the creation of sound public opinion. These parties do not keep the national interest in view but have always their own axe to grind.

Short Answer type Questions

Question 1.
What is meant by Public Opinion?
Answer:
Public Opinion means the opinion of the public over public issues. But what is meant by the opinion of the public? All the people cannot have a unanimous opinion over an issue. The opinion of a majority cannot be called true public opinion because the majority may have its own view-point. We can say that the opinion of the majority to which the minority is not opposed to, or the majority has taken the minority into confidence can be called public opinion. Only that opinion can be called public opinion which is held by the people generally and which aims at the good of all.

Question 2.
Write any four characteristics of public opinion.
Or
Write down any four characteristics of Public Opinion.
Answer:

General Agreement: Most important feature of public opinion is that there should be general agreement. If all the people don’t agree on a particular issue, the opinion of the majority must be favourable.
Public Welfare: Public opinion aims at common good and not at the welfare of the individual.
Public Opinion is Permanent: A momentary and sentimental opinion reflected by the masses can’t be called public opinion. It is rather a permanent view of the people as it is based on reason and logic.
Public opinion is not always related with the activities of the state. Sometimes public opinion is formulated to remove social evils.

Question 3.
Mention four important ways in which the Newspapers mobilize public opinion on issues of public importance.
Or
Explain the role of press in the formation of public opinion.
Answer:
The press is a very important source of formulating public opinion. It consists of magazines, journals, books, newspapers etc. With the spread of education the importance of press is increasing.

The newspapers keep people informed about day-to-day events. All the national and international news figure in newspapers.
The newspapers give critical appraisal of the functions of government. The educated masses form their opinion by reading their editorials.
The newspapers criticise the wrong policies of the government so that the public can force the government to change them.
It offers constructive suggestions to the government on public matters.

Question 4.
What is the importance of Political Parties to formulate the Public Opinion?
Answer:

The political parties express their views about different problems facing the country before the people. They present the programmes to solve these problems as well.
The political parties try to influence public opinion by presenting attractive and constructive programmes.
The political parties hold public meetings to keep public opinion in their favour.
The political parties provide political education to the people.

Question 5.
Write any three Agencies for the formulation of Public Opinion.
Or
Write any four means of the formation and expression of Public Opinion.
Answer:
1. Public Meetings:
Public meetings stimulate and create public interest in great political, social and economic questions through speeches delivered by men in the fore-front of public life. These speakers educate the public about important matters at home and abroad and help the growth of public opinion with regard to them.

2. Educational Institutions: It is in the schools, colleges and universities that the life of the would-be citizen is moulded.

3. Role of Newspapers: Newspaper is a very important source of formulating public opinion.

4. Television: Television moulds public opinion by broadcasting news and comments.

Question 6.
Write down four hindrances which come in the way of Healthy Public Opinion.
Or
Explain any three hindrances in the formation of Sound Public Opinion.
Answer:

Illiteracy is a big hurdle in the way of creation of sound public opinion.
Poverty is a big obstacle in the creation of sound public opinion. Where there is no equal distribution of wealth and some are rich and the others are poor, sound public opinion cannot be created.
Indifference of people towards political activities is a big hindrance in the formation of a sound public opinion.
Political Parties which are based on religion, caste and language etc. are big hindrances in the creation of the true public opinion.

Question 7.
Write four conditions essential for formation of sound Public Opinion.
Or
Write down four conditions essential in the formation of Public Opinion.
Answer:

The first condition for having an honest and just public opinion is that the people should be educated.
The individuals should have the freedom to express the opinion in public. True public opinion cannot be good if people are afraid of expressing their views publicly.
Free and impartial press is essential for the formation of sound public opinion.
Moral character of the people is also very helpful in the creation of sound public opinion.

Question 8.
What role is played by ‘Educational Institutions’ in the formulation of Public Opinion?
Or
What is the role of Educational Institutions in making Public Opinion?
Answer:
It is in the schools, colleges and universities that the life of the would-be citizens is moulded. It is here that his mind is trained and he begins to form opinions. The age of the students is quite impressionable and therefore the political education starts at this age. The children of today are the administrators and ministers of tomorrow. Through education, they get knowledge of their country and the world at large. They grow up into enlightened citizens and take active part in public affairs. They start thinking independently and refuse to borrow ready-made opinions.

Question 9.
What is the importance of Public Opinion in Democracy?
Or
What is the role of Public Opinion in Democracy?
Answer:

The government in democracy draws its authority from the public. No government can rule the country if public opinion is against it.
Public opinion is a great check on the representatives. Public opinion makes the ministers realize that they are the servants of the people and not their masters and they should work for public welfare.
Legislative debates have given expression to public opinion and acted as deterrent to Government’s unilateral moves.
Public opinion serves as the lighthouse for the government. All the laws of the State emanate from the popular will.

Question 10.
Discuss the importance of T.V. as an agent for formulation of Public Opinion.
Answer:

Television is the most effective audio-visual instrument for entertainment as well as education to the people.
Television has a vast coverage and is easily accessible to the people even in remote areas.
Television moulds public opinion by broadcasting news and comments. Its mode of communication is very quick and simple.
Television can arouse the interest of the common people in urgent social, economic and political problems.

Very Short Answer type Questions

Question 1.
What is the meaning of Public Opinion?
Answer:
We can say that the opinion of the majority to which the minority is not opposed to, or the majority has taken the minority into confidence can be called public opinion. Only that opinion can be called public opinion which is held by the people generally and which aims at the good of all.

Question 2.
Mention any two definitions of Public Opinion.
Answer:

According to Bryce, “Public opinion is commonly used to the aggregate of views which men hold regarding matters that effect the community.”
According to Dr. Beni Prasad, “Only that opinion can be called public opinion which aims at the welfare of the people.”

Question 3.
Explain any two characteristics of public opinion.
Answer:

General Agreement. Most important feature of public opinion is that there should be general agreement. If all the people don’t agree on a particular issue, the opinion of the majority must be favourable.
Public Welfare. Public opinion aims at common good and not at the welfare of the individual.

Question 4.
Write any two means of the formation and expression of public opinion.
Answer:
1. Public Meetings:
Public meetings stimulate and create public interest in great political, social and economic questions through speeches delivered by men in the fore-front of public life. These speakers educate the public about important matters at home and abroad and help the growth of public opinion with regard to them.

2. Educational Institutions: It is in the schools, colleges and universities that the life of the would-be citizen is moulded.

Question 5.
Explain any two hindrances in the formation of Sound Public Opinion.
Answer:

Illiteracy is a big hurdle in the way of creation of sound public opinion.
Poverty is a big obstacle in the creation of sound public opinion. Where there is no equal distribution of wealth and some are rich and the others are poor, sound public opinion cannot be created.

Question 6.
Which are the two essential conditions for healthy public opinion?
Answer:

The first condition for having an honest and just public opinion is that the people should be educated.
The individuals should have the freedom to express the opinion in public. True public opinion cannot be good if people are afraid of expressing their views publicly.

Question 7.
What is the importance of Public Opinion in Democracy?
Answer:

The government in democracy draws its authority from the public. No government can rule the country if public opinion is against it.
Public opinion is a great check on the representatives. Public opinion makes the ministers realize that they are the servants of the people and not their masters and they should work for public welfare.

Question 8.
Discuss the importance of T.V. as an agent for formulation of Public Opinion.
Answer:

Television is the most effective audio-visual instrument for entertainment as well as education to the people.
Television has a vast coverage and is easily accessible to the people even in remote areas.

Question 9.
Describe in brief the role of educational institutions in the formulations of Public Opinion. (P.B. 2018)
Answer:
“The educational system has an important effect on the process of socialization. The values imparted by schools and universities may not be the result of direct political indoctrination, but are nonetheless important.” According to Almond and Verba, the five nation study found without exception that “the educated persons were more aware of the impact of government on their lives, paid more attention to politics, had more information about political processes, and manifested a higher degree of political competence

One Line Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Write down the meaning of Public Opinion.
Answer:
By Public Opinion, we mean opinion of the people on public affairs.

Question 2.
Write a one definition of Public Opinion.
Answer:
According to Prof. Bryce, “The term public opinion is commonly used to denote the aggregate of the views men hold regarding matters that affect or interest the community.”

Question 3.
Describe any one essential condition of Public Opinion.
Answer:
There must be talk of public welfare in general public opinion.

Question 4.
Mention importance, of public opinion in democracy.
Answer:
In a democratic system, the government is based on public opinion.

Question 5.
Write two main agencies for formulation and expression of Public Opinion.
Or
Write down any two agencies of the formulation of Public Opinion.
Answer:

Press,
Political Parties.

Question 6.
Discuss the role of newspapers in the formulation of Public Opinion.
Answer:
The newspapers acquaint the people with daily news and events. They comment upon the functioning-of the government. They both praise and criticise the work done by the government.

Fill in The Blanks

1. The opinion which is not in the interest of all the people that opinion cannot be accepted as …………………. .
Answer:
public opinion

2. There is …………………. unanimity among the scholars on the meaning of public opinion.
Answer:
no

3. Public opinion is always in the interest of public …………………. .
Answer:
welfare

4. Public opinion always conforms to …………………. values prevalent in the society.
Answer:
moral

5. In a democratic system, the government is based on …………………. .
Answer:
public opinion

6. …………………. is the main hindrance in the formulation of healthy public opinion.
Answer:
Illiteracy

7. The voice of the people is in fact the voice of …………………. .
Answer:
God

8. Spread of …………………. is the main remedy to remove hindrance in the way of healthy public opinion.
Answer:
education

9. The voice of …………………. is the …………………. of God.
Answer:
people, voice.

True Or False Statement

1. Illiteracy is very helpful in the formulation of healthy public opinion.
Answer:
False

2. Educated people and impartial press are essential conditions for the formulation of public opinion,
Answer:
True.

3. In a democratic system, the government is based on force.
Answer:
False

4. During elections, the political parties propagate their programmes and policies among the people.
Answer:
True.

5. Partisan press is a big hindrance in the formulation of healthy public opinion.
Answer:
True.

Choose The Correct Answer

Question 1.
Who said, “The voice of the people is in fact the voice of God.”?
(a) Aristotle
(b) J.S. Mill
(c) Rousseau
(d) M.N. Roy.
Answer:
(c) Rousseau

Question 2.
In which system public opinion is most effective?
(a) Democratic
(b) Dictatorship
(c) Monarchy
(d) Oligarchy.
Answer:
(a) Democratic

Question 3.
Which of the following government is based on public opinion?
(a) Monarchy
(b) Democratic
(c) Tyranny
(d) Aristocratic.
Answer:
(b) Democratic

Question 4.
Which of the following is a main hindrance in the formulation of healthy pubic opinion?
(a) Illiteracy
(b) Freedom of Press
(c) Modernization
(d) Education.
Answer:
(a) Illiteracy

Question 5.
Which of the following is an essential condition for the formulation of healthy public opinion?
(a) Educated people
(b) Abolition of poverty
(c) Impartial press
(d) All of the above.
Answer:
(d) All of the above.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 6 Public Opinion

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