TABLE OF CONTENT PAGES

Introduction 1
Section A 1
Question 1 1
Section B 1&2&3
Conclusion 3
Source 3
INRODUCTION

This assignment is based on study unit 3, section 3.2 and study unit 5, 5.5 public
choice theory that is talking about the policy making process and the identification of
policy relevant to problems and the public choice theory.

SECTION A

QUESTIONS ANSWEARS

1 1

2 3

3 4

4 4

5 (i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)

6 4

7 4

8 3

9 4

10 1

SECTION B

According to study unit 3, section 3.2 public opinion

Roles of public opinion

Public opinion: Is the opinion of a substantial segment of the public on a particular issue,
classical democratic theory assumes that public opinion should be represented by the
elected representatives.

1
Public opinion can play positive role in policy making and can also have various effects on
how policy is made or viewed, public opinion in forming policy can often be as diverse as the
opinions themselves, few people have an independent opinion on the bulk of policy
questions, public opinion is very unstable or flexible and can change in a short period of
time, leaders do not have a clear perception of public opinion in most messages or signals
are from others elites and do not from the ordinary public. Public opinion is the opinion of a
substantial segment of the public on a particular issue and classical democratic theory
assumes that public opinion should be represented by the elected reprehensive in a
legislature and should also be basis on which the executive takes decisions.

According study unit 3, section 3.2 elite opinion

Roles of elite opinion

Elite opinion: Normally includes the leadership echelons, the political activists and influential
people.

Elite opinion normally includes the leadership echelons, the political activists and influential
people, elite opinion can help identify emerging problems, purpose innovative solutions and
assess the feasibility and effectiveness of different policy opinions, elite opinion can shape
public opinion by influencing media coverage, public disclosure and political debates. Elite
understands the government better and are better informed, elite opinion plays a huge role
in influencing individuals, policy planning organisations, political candidates and office
holders in influencing and determining what should be on the policy agenda.

According study unit 3, section 3.2

Similarities and differences between elite opinion and public opinion

Elite opinion is against the issue of death penalty while public opinion appears to favour it,
elite preferences are also more likely to be in accordance with public policy preferences than
with public opinion of the population, elite opinions are more influential than public opinion
expect for referendum outcomes. Public opinion represents the views of the general public,
while elite opinion represents the perspective of influential individuals or groups (Anderson
1984) argues that It is more likely that the attitudes of the elite affect public policy
independency of public opinion. Public opinion helps identify problems that impact a large
segment of society while elite opinion might be narrower and focus on specific interests or
particular groups elite also provide specialized knowledge.

According study unit 3, section 3,2 and study unit 5, section 5.5 public choice theory

The relationship between elite opinion and public choice theory

2
Political elites do not simply “pander to public opinion” they seek to shape and influence it,
both elite opinion and public choice includes the political science and the decision maker
within the government, public choice theory suggest that individuals can act in their self-
interest when making decisions that are mostly related to policy, while elite opinion can be
influenced by range of factors that includes personal interest and power dynamics, public
choice theory can argue that some elite opinions does not always reflect the best interest of
the general public but they reflect the elite themselves, the relationship between elite opinion
and public choice theory is more complex and will always differ based on the context.

The theory of public choice theory states that in taking political decisions do not express
interest as abstract ideals for society but rather in pursuit of the own well-defined economic
self-interest as individuals, as it assumes that selfish personal interest are more relevant
than vicarious personal interest ( Lane 1995;255-211) , while the implication of this for policy
decision-maker (public opinion) and analyst is that elite opinions are more influential than
public opinion.

CONCLUSION

In summary the role of public opinion was discussed and the role of elite opinion, the
differences and similarities of public opinion and elite opinion and we also defined the
concept of public choice theory, and we also discussed the relationship between elite
opinion and public choice theory.

SOURCES

Study unit 3, section 3.2

Study unit 5, section 5.5 public choice theory

www.google search.com

politics and public policy, published by University of South Africa, revised edition 2003