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ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
How responsive should the government be to what is popular? Should leaders consider public opinion when forming policy? Why/why not?
Use examples in your answers.
HOW TO WORK ON THIS ASSIGNMENT (EXAMPLE ESSAY / DRAFT)
Governments play a crucial role in shaping policies that affect the lives of citizens. One of the fundamental questions in policy-making is whether government should be responsive to public opinion. In this essay, I will argue that government leaders should consider public opinion when forming policies, but with certain caveats.
Firstly, public opinion is an important factor that governments must consider while framing policies. When a significant portion of the population expresses a particular view or concern, it is an indication that the government needs to take it seriously. For instance, in the wake of the recent protests against racial discrimination, many governments have initiated policies to address the concerns raised by the public. This response has shown that public opinion can be a catalyst for positive change.
Secondly, the government’s responsibility is to serve the people, and therefore, leaders must prioritize public opinion when formulating policies that affect citizens’ lives. By aligning policies with public opinion, government leaders can gain the support of the majority, making it easier for them to implement their policies. Furthermore, taking into account public opinion demonstrates that government leaders are accountable and responsive to the needs and desires of the people they represent.
However, there are also limitations to considering public opinion when formulating policies. Public opinion can sometimes be driven by emotions, sensationalism, or biases, which may not always reflect the most rational and informed perspective. For instance, in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, some sections of the public opposed lockdown measures, which were necessary to curb the spread of the virus. In such instances, government leaders must balance public opinion with expert advice and empirical evidence.
In conclusion, it is essential for government leaders to consider public opinion when formulating policies that affect the lives of citizens. Public opinion serves as a crucial input to policy-making, which helps government leaders gauge the mood of the population they represent. However, government leaders must also be careful not to be overly swayed by public opinion, which can be driven by emotion rather than reason. Ultimately, the most effective policy-making balances public opinion with expert knowledge and evidence-based decision-making.
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