PUBLIC OPINION

INTRODUCTION
Public Opinion is an important factor of international relations. It is often used by
statesmen for explaining and justifying their decisions. However, its use has been,
almost always, ambiguous and subjective. The conceptualization of World Public
Opinion over a particular international problem or issue has always been subjected
to divergent and opposed interpretations.
DEFINITION
The term public opinion is commonly used to denote, as Bryce says, “the aggregate
of the views men hold regarding matters that affect or interest the whole
community. Thus understood, it is a collection of all sorts of discrepant notions,
beliefs, fancies, prejudices and aspirations.
“World Public Opinion is obviously a public opinion that transcends national
boundaries and that unites members of different nations in a consensus with regard
to at least certain fundamental international issues.” —Morgenthau
ROLE OF WORLD PUBLIC OPINION
 Public Opinion has been performing an important role in contemporary
international relations. It has come to be accepted as an important limitation on
national power. The conduct of foreign relations and the exercise of power in
international relations is always influenced by World Public Opinion.
 The presence of strong global peace movements, strong movements in favour of
Nuclear Arms Control and Disarmament, a very strong and healthy global
movement for the preservation of Earth’s ecological balance, the environment
protection movements, Human Rights protection movements and several other
such movements clearly show the presence of a strong World Public Opinion.
 An adverse world reaction surely limits the ability of a nation to exercise power
and checks its desired role in international relations. Even a super power like the
USA cannot ignore adverse world public opinion. Likewise, a helpful World Public
Opinion is always a source of strength for the implementation of a particular
foreign policy decision of a nation.

LIMITATIONS OF PUBLIC OPINION

 It cannot be denied that the role of World Public Opinion in international
relations continues to be highly limited. Many a times, it fails to prevent a nation,
particularly a powerful nation, from undertaking a course of action which is not
supported by the bulk of humankind.
For example, there exists a definite World Public Opinion against the continuance of
armament race, yet powerful countries have been keeping it intact. World Public
Opinion is definitely against war and preparations for war and yet, some nations
keep on preparing for ‘Wars’. The US decision to invade and occupy Iraq has been
implemented against the demands of World Public Opinion.
 The bulk of the world population lives in the Third World countries and is
demanding restructuring of international economic order and the UN Security
Council with a view to make it equitable and just, yet the rich and powerful
countries of the world are not willing to pay heed to such demands.

Thus, while there exists something like World Public Opinion in international
relations it has not been exercising really powerful role in restraining the exercise of
power in international relations. It has been wielding little restraining effect upon
the policies, national power and foreign policies of various states. Nevertheless, its
presence is a fact.
FACTORS LIMITING THE ROLE OF WORLD PUBLIC OPINION
 Dissimilar Conditions
The variations in the standard of living range from mass starvation to abundance;
the variations in freedom, from tyranny to democracy, from economic slavery to
equality; and the variations in levels of national power limit the role of world
public opinion in international relations.
 The Ambiguity of Technological Unification
Technological unification of the world also constitutes a limiting factor of World
Public Opinion. The technological revolution has been responsible for creating
inequality in international relations and this inequality has checked the
development of a strong World Public Opinion over various international issues
and problems.
 The Barrier of Nationalism
We do not live and act as members of one world society depending upon
universal reason and applying standards of universal thinking and morality. We
act as members of our national societies, guided by our respective standards of
thinking and morality. Nationalism makes thinking a “subjective thinking” and
vision a “coloured vision”. This acts as a barrier and prevents support for World
Public Opinion.