Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What are the populist theories of public opinion?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
public opinion
Jacques Necker, print by Henri GrĆ©vedon after a painting by Louis-Joseph-SiffrĆØde Duplessis, 1822; in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.
In the study of public opinion, the "populist" approachāas categorized by theorists like Sherry Devereux Fergusonārefers to a specific framework that emerged in the first half of the 20th century.1
Rather than viewing public opinion as a top-down construct or a tool of elite manipulation, this theory conceptualizes public opinion as a force that wells up from the bottom levels of society toward the top. Key characteristics of this approach include:1
- Two-Way Communication: It emphasizes a reciprocal flow of communication between political representatives and the represented public.1
- Dynamic Interaction: It acknowledges that public opinion is not static; it shifts as individuals interact with one another and respond to various media influences.1
- Democratic Potential: By focusing on the collective voice of the citizenry, this perspective aligns with the broader democratic ideal of defending the interests and power of ordinary citizens.2
This populist framework stands in contrast to "elitist" or social constructionist theories, which focus on the manipulation of opinion, and "critical" theories, which argue that the general public has negligible influence compared to those already in power.1