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Paper Two

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Public participation is a crucial medium of government communication and decision-

making. Public participation refers to the steps that an individual or a group can take to

become active in government or community problems that are important to them.

Understanding of presidency power has encouraged democracy among citizens strengthening

their political opinions through public participation. The presidents have normalized public

participation in ensuring modern governments utilize legislative initiatives. However, the

implementation of this strategy has been limited by factors such as screens, an embodiment

of the nation, and people, hindering its success. Thus, public participation strategy plays a

significant role in government performance and citizens despite limiting factors.

Public opinion plays an essential role in facilitating constitutional amendments and

policy formulations. Almost any topic that the president or legislature must decide upon can

become a public issue if many people want it to be. Outside agencies frequently stimulate or

strengthen these individuals' political opinions. As a result, democracy has been embraced by

the public. For instance, Tocqueville was concerned that a popular government might become

a "majority tyranny.1". Whether the public opinion is viewed as a positive or negative factor

in a democracy, few politicians are willing to advocate the government, disregarding it

publicly. Political scientists have focused less on determining public opinion's role in a

democratic society and more on picking its role in practice. It is evident from a review of

different histories of policy formulation that no broad generalization can be formed that will

apply in all circumstances. The part of public opinion differs from subject to subject, and

public opinion expresses itself in different ways in different democracies.

Presidents usually feel the need to go public from time to build support for the

legislative initiative, which is a significant change of the modern presidency. Additionally,

1
Neshkova, Milena I., and Hai Guo. "Public participation and organizational performance:
Evidence from state agencies." Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory 22,
no. 2 (2012): 267-288.
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going public periodically accords the president with the opportunity to employ their rhetorical

skills, thus allowing for the galvanization of the public support to further their political

agendas. Going public is a new form of presidential leadership that enables the president to,

for instance, Joe Biden to sell his agendas to the Americans directly. A president with an

election mandate might use their high public approval rating to push through legislation in

Congress. For instance, the recognition of public participation by Mark A Peterson played a

vital role in Clinton's policy strategy and administration. 2. Notably, presidents who use public

opinion promote their administration programs, improve their economic development, and

influence opinions among particular issue types and groups. Thus, public participation has

influenced democracy and legislation initiatives.

Various factors affect going to the public as a successful strategy. These factors entail

the mass audience's lack of attentiveness, the reducing number of audiences, the political

partisanships, and political media.3 President acts as a central figure of the constitutional

system and suffers from violating the rules. For instance, "Richard Nixon suffered from

violating constitutional obligations by acting above the Watergate scandal through public

participation.4". Lastly, the president meets a variety of psychological needs of the citizens,

which ensures policies are built. Public participation by the president offers an opportunity to

express feelings from opponents and supporters. Thus, public participation has provided

public education affects the president's power. Overall, various factors such as screens, an

embodiment of the nation, and people block the strategy through their opinions.

2
Chapter 3: Public Politics. N.d. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Pg.
1-39
3
Tedin, Kent, Brandon Rottinghaus, and Harrell Rodgers. "When the president goes public: The
consequences of communication mode for opinion change across issue types and groups." Political
Research Quarterly 64, no. 3 (2011): 506-519.
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Bibliography

Chapter 3: Public Politics. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. (N.d) Pg.

1-39
 5

Neshkova, Milena I., and Hai Guo. "Public participation and organizational performance:

Evidence from state agencies." Journal of Public Administration Research and

Theory 22, no. 2 (2012): 267-288.

Tedin, Kent, Brandon Rottinghaus, and Harrell Rodgers. "When the president goes public:

The consequences of communication mode for opinion change across issue types and

groups." Political Research Quarterly 64, no. 3 (2011): 506-519.