To answer the question assigned this week I will first define a democratic government. A democratic government is one who's members are elected by the citizens of the country it represents and serves. Now that we have established the definition, understanding of how public opinion influences the formation of our government is very obvious. The formation of our government is relevant because the people we elect to lead us shape our society by creating laws that affect all of us. The rights and limitations of our society are solely based on the decisions and policy creation that happens in Washington, D.C. The most disturbing aspect of how our political leaders are elected buy us is that the most popular candidate will typically win in a election regardless of how qualified he or she might be.
Popularity is something that some candidates have regardless of their politics. It is common that less important factors like: party affiliation, race, religion or place of birth will have a greater affect on candidates popularity among the people. The last presidential election is a paramount example of how a race commonality awarded our current president Barrack Obama the presidency. In that election ninety five percent of Black voters voted for Mr. Obama.[1]
Another way public opinion can be swayed to award popularity to certain candidates is through marketing campaigns over different types of media or information outlets. Some marketing campaigns are formed to establish the personal or political position of a candidate. Other campaigns are promoted as a declaration of intention to the voting body of citizens to reassure them. The most common we find contemporarily are the slanderous campaigns that exploit an opposing candidates lifestyle or past dealings. Through these typically false or loosely factual cheap shot the voting population’s opinions are changed one way or the other. It is sad but “Citizens see and hear candidates through the medium of news reports.”[2].
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