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View Full Version : To what extent should governements attempt to influence public opinion?


ericalynn
Mar 22, 2006, 08:28 PM
Im having difficulty studying this, and have found nothing that relates to this topic on the internet. I have found how people influence the government in decision making.. but not about the government and how he influences the people and his country. I know that media and using propaganda like hitler did, influences the public, using opinion polls is very popular too, I need to know though at what extent should the government influence an individual's choice and opinion... can anyone help me on this subject?

Style
Mar 22, 2006, 08:38 PM
I know that media and using propaganda like hitler did,

Not a very fair comparison,here's a hint,nearly every major world leader used some form of propaganda during their stead in office...

As for at what extent should the government use propaganda to influence opinion it's a much too difficult question to be given one answer to,it depends on what's the aim of the influencing,the nature of the people being swayed,the methods being used to sway the opinion,etc. Is there a particular example you want to ask about?

Fr_Chuck
Mar 22, 2006, 08:43 PM
Of course our political parties (both of them) using half truths and sometimes down right lies use various influence to have their ideas and their desireds made into law or their people voted into being.

Government in itself uses various laws ( restrict churches from free speech on political issues)

Government uses new tax codes to attempt to make people invest or to spend

Government makes "announcement" or news releases when they want to divert attention from one event to another.

They start a 100 percent inforcement on seat belts to influence opinion to wear seat belts. ( they seldom to 100 percent inforcement on anything else

They release food diagrams and the such, ( OK you say that is only facts) that that effects peoples opinion on certain types of food.

Also they cause rumur, we were discussing that this morning, they make an annoucement that there is no "truth" to some story, of course everyone will believe then there is truth in it.