Public Opinion: Crash Course Government and Politics

The video explores the distinction between politics and government, focusing on public opinion's role in democracy. It discusses skepticism about public knowledge, rational ignorance, and theories on collective opinion. The video examines how public opinion should influence government actions and the challenges of polling, including sampling errors and selection bias. It concludes with a reflection on public opinion's impact on governance.

What is the difference between government and politics as described in the text?

How does public opinion influence government actions in a democracy?

What concerns did the framers of the Constitution have regarding public opinion?

What are some ways that public opinion can be expressed according to the text?

What role does polling play in understanding public opinion?

What factors can skew the results of public opinion polls?

How can the framing of questions affect polling results?