Elaborately discuss the characteristics public opinion in hindi
Answers
Answer:
Public opinion consists of the desires, wants and thinking of the majority of the people. It is the collective opinion of the people of a society or state on an issue or problem.
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. Democracy requires public opinion because it derives authority from the public.
What is Public?
The word ‘public’ is generally used to refer to a large group of people. It is sometimes used as synonymous with crowd. The members of the public need not collect together in one place. They may be dispersed and not know each other. According to Anderson and Parker, “A public is that form of collectivity which includes a number of dispersed and non-organized individuals who are faced with an issue about which there may be differences of opinion.”
What is Opinion?
According to Kimball Young, “An opinion is a belief somewhat stronger or more intense than a mere notion or impression but less stronger than positive knowledge based on complete or adequate proof. Opinions are really beliefs about a controversial topic.” Generally, what passes on for opinion is one’s impression, sentiment or prejudice.
Opinion implies careful thought and consideration. It is founded on some kind of information or evidence. It is not necessary that opinion should always be correct, it may even be faulty.
Characteristics of Public Opinion:
On the basis of the above definitions the following characteristics of public opinion may be deduced:
(i) Public opinion is concerned with a matter of public importance. It is not concerned with the interests of a particular group of people.
(ii) Public opinion is for social welfare. The welfare of society is an essential characteristic of public opinion.
(iii) Public opinion is arrived at after careful thought. It is the tentative deliberative adjustment of public to a situation. It is a logical view of things. While Lasswell holds that all opinions involve a choice between different views which may be rationally held, Kimball Young, on the other hand, is of the view that an opinion may be rational, or based upon some conviction, or it may proceed from feeling and emotion.
(iv) It is cooperative product. It is the product of interaction of human minds.
(v) Public opinion is related to a particular age or times. It is to be evaluated in the context of a particular situation.
(vi) Public opinion has a cultural base. The culture of a society influences public opinion.
(vii) Lastly, numbers are not necessary to constitute public opinion. The opinion of even a single person may be called public opinion though not held by the majority. The opinion of Mahatma Gandhi, though held by him alone, could be rightly called public opinion. However, the opinion held by a minority must be shared by the majority not by force but by conviction.
The majority while not actually holding it must be convinced that it is for the social good. As one writer puts it, “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.” From the behaviouristic point of view the question of unanimity or majority consent is of no immediate importance in defining public opinion.
