MORPHOLOGY OF PUBLIC OPINION

In: The Indian journal of political science, Band 18, Heft 3-4, S. 217-223

Abstract

It has been argued that when an attitude of a substantial section of society assumes the dimension of a 'public issue', for instance when action is proposed, then the group attitude is a PO. This view represents that of a good-natured nation of extroverts--the Americans. It has, however, practical limitations. In maturer & soberer nations, account must be taken of crystallized but unexpressed att's. The Indian public has sometimes internalized too much, as for instance as shown by its vacillations over the linguistic issue. Analysis of PO shows a set of outer ingredients of organized views towards public issues, & inner constituents of rather inchoate psychol'al tendencies which can be molded by outer ingredients for the soc good, or neglected at crucial moments at the risk of soc disaster. It is a product & factor of democratic group psychol. Its suppression is always dangerous for public life, its expression at the right time & through the right channels is conducive to soc peace, & its proper regulation is the main object of an organized & healthy civic life. Its systematic study has been neglected. IPSA.