ABSTRACT

This book traces the emergence of the ideas and institutions that evolved to give people mastery over their own destiny through the force of public opinion. The Greek belief in citizen participation is shown as the ground upon which the idea of public opinion began and grew. For Wilson, public opinion is an "orderly force," contributing to social and political life. Wilson appraises the influence of modern psychology and the slow appearance of methodologies that would enable people not only to measure the opinions of others, but to mold them as well. He examines the relation of the theory of public opinion to the intellectuals, the middle class, and the various revolutionary and proletarian movements of the modern era. The circumstances in which the individual may refuse to follow the opinions of the experts are succinctly and movingly analyzed. This book is a historical and philosophical evaluation of a concept that has played a decisive part in history, and whose overwhelming force is underestimated. The author's insight brings an understanding that is invaluable at a time when public opinion, the force developed to enable the ruled to restrain their rulers, has become controllable. Attempts to manipulate it are made by those who would impose their will upon their fellow men.

part |2 pages

PART I. THE HISTORICAL INQUIRY

chapter 1|16 pages

In Quest of a Public

chapter 2|21 pages

The Great Ideas: A Converging Stream

part |2 pages

PART II. THE MODERN INQUIRY

chapter 5|27 pages

Controversy, Tradition, and Culture

chapter 6|26 pages

The Quality of Opinion

chapter 7|29 pages

Systematic Techniques

part |2 pages

PART III. GROUPS AND THE ORDERING OF OPINION

chapter 8|21 pages

Public Opinion and the Intellectuals

chapter 9|27 pages

The Middle Class

chapter 10|24 pages

The Proletarian Definition

part |2 pages

PART IV. ASSESSMENTS AND CONCLUSIONS

chapter 11|18 pages

The Situation of the Common Man

chapter 12|26 pages

Theory for Tomorrow