21. Do the Initiative and Referendum increase the burden upon the voter?
22. The effect of the Initiative and Referendum upon the character of the state legislature.
23. Should the Recall be applied to judges?
24. Merits and defects of such forms of direct popular control as exist in your state.
25. Future development of direct popular control in the United States.
CHAPTER XXXVIII
PUBLIC OPINION
478. THE NATURE OF PUBLIC OPINION.—One of the most powerful influences in any community is that intangible something which we call Public Opinion. Though everyone is familiar with it, the term Public Opinion is difficult to define. Public Opinion is intimately connected with the opinion of the individual, and yet is something more than a mere total of individual opinions.
Every man has a set of opinions or beliefs which are characteristic of his native instincts, his home training, and other influences which have helped mould his personality. Wherever individuals associate, the opinions of each person affect and are affected by the opinions of his fellows. As the result of this interaction we think of public opinion as being made up of a number of different currents, each embodying a view, a belief, or a doctrine. Where many individuals support a given view with moderate intensity, or where a small group feels very intensely upon a given topic, we say that Public Opinion has formed.
Public Opinion may be defined as a definite focus of individual opinions which are either numerous or intense enough to constitute a recognizable force, and to exert a noticeable influence upon the life of the community.