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Pure Public Opinion

By Gary Cooper

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Like most widely used terms, pure public opinion means different things to different people and in different situations. Any kind of opinion whether individual or in groups private or public has to do with matters about which people are doubtful and undecided. It is no longer considered to be merely a matter of opinion that the earth is a sphere rotating on an axis and revolving in an orbit about the sun.

It is a matter of fact which can be demonstrated and about which reasonable men do not differ. But it is a matter of opinion whether the nations of the earth should attempt to cooperate in some sort of international organization. If so what form this organization should take, because reasonable men do differ in their opinions about these matters.

When a problem affects a number of people, they will discuss it and argue about it. These activities help to develop a common opinion. Thus, a family which has to move from its present home may be uncertain whether to stay in a neighborhood and whether to rent, buy, or build a house. Family members may have differing views on these questions. These various views will have to be reconciled in some way before the family can reach a satisfactory decision.

At first the group cannot be said to have an opinion although it is in the process of forming one. When a decision is worked out it may be said to be group opinion in the sense that it is taken as a basis for group action. In this example the opinion of the group differs from public opinion only because the family is a closed group and generally carries on such discussion in private. When discussion is open or public, then the matters involved are public opinions.

Public opinion in a third sense varies widely in its character. Public opinion may be merely a hodgepodge of different opinions in the early stages of discussion, when issues are not defined and people are not well informed about them. At other times the opinions of many individuals may become similar enough to form a majority opinion or even a consensus which determines the kind of action a group will take.

Never before in the history of the world has there been such a widespread discussion of public issues as there is today. This is extremely important because the spread of democracy as a form of government depends upon enlightened and responsible citizens. World War II and the postwar struggle against Communism brought into bold relief the conflict between ways of life which had little respect for public opinion and our own democratic ideals which recognize public opinion as a source of strength.

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