INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF MALAYSIA

KULIYYAH OF ISLAMIC REVEALED KNOWLEDGE

&
HUMAN SCIENCES
TITTLE:
ROLE OF PUBLIC OPINION IN DECISION MAKING
NAME: NOR AINAA MOHD ISA
MATRIC NO: 0531194
COURSE TITLE: FOREIGN POLICY DECISION MAKING
COURSE CODE: PSCI 3210
SECTION: 1
INSTRUCTOR: DR WAHABUDDIN RAEES
SEM 1 09/10

TABLE OF CONTENTS
..Introduction(3)
Background(4-5)
Characteristic of Public Opinion.(5-6)
..Channel of influence on Public Opinion(6-7)
Impact of Public Opinion in Decision Making(8-9)
Case Study..(9)
..References.(10)

INTRODUCTION

In a democratic country, public do participate in decision making process to ensure the

transparency of government operation. They play an important function in shaping the decision
making of foreign policy. In return, government must pay intention to public interest and need in
order to ensure the public continuously support government. Therefore, in this paper I has
mentioned the role of public opinion in helping government to make a policy.
In the fist part, I give an overview of public opinion which compose of background,
definition given by some scholars and some elaboration taken from encyclopedia. in addition, in
this part I try to provide various opinion from scholars about the meaning of public opinion to
see the similarity as well as the difference.
Moreover, in the second part I mentioned about the characteristic of public opinion which
compose of four such as intensity, saliency, volatility and limitation. All these characteristic of
public opinion determine the way of public thinking either to support or reject government
policy. After that, I stated the channel influence of public opinion which consists of interest
group, public opinion polls, political party, internet and media.
Furthermore, in this paper I also highlighting the impacts of public in determine countrys
policy. In this part, it shows the ability of people to facilitate government in making policy. Here
I try to show the function of public as constraint on policy innovation, a source of policy
innovation and resource to be drawn upon by policy makers in implementing policy. Finally, ihis
paper I provided a crisis of Iran and the American hostages as a case study.

BACKGROUND
Many people view public opinion in context of decision making with different ways.
Based on Mackinnann understanding, he defined public opinion as to be sentiment on any given
subject which entertained by the best informed, most intelligent, most moral persons, in the
community in which gradually spread and adopted by nearly all person of any education or
proper feeling in civilized state.1Similarly, A.Lawrence identified public opinion as the
acceptance of one among two or more inconsistent views which are acceptable of being accepted
by the rational mind as true.2 Meanwhile, according to J. Harrigan and David Nice public
opinion refers to peoples view on politically relevant issues. 3 They try to correlate the important
of public opinion with the government policy. People can directly and indirectly influence the
policy outcomes.
Howard J. Wiarda theoretically describes public opinion as views of Americans as
expressed in actual opinions surveys. Public opinion is more prcised, organized, specific and
more concrete. In fact, Howard emphasized public opinion is the organized, expressed and
manifest voice of people political culture and attitudes.4 Besides, he added that public opinion
surveys force people to respond, to give answer, to express preferences, to choose between
policy alternatives. Similarly, O. Key Jr., views public opinion as opinion by private persons
which government find it prudent to heed.5 The scholars of political sciences Robert Erikson and
Kent Tedin both agreed that, public view is a preferences o the adult population on matters of

The New Encyclopedia Britannica , (vol 9) : USA, Encyclopedia Britannica Inc. 1998), 779.
ibid
3
Harrigan J and David C. Nice, Politics and Policy in States and Communities, ( New York, Pearson Longman ,
2008), 78
4
Wiarda J., Foreign Policy Without Illusion, (United States of America, University of Massachusetts, Amherst,
1990), 57.
5
Hilsman, Laura & Weitsman, The Politics of Policy Making in Defense & Foreign Affairs, Conceptual Model and
Bureaucratic Politics (3rd ed) : USA, A Pearson Education Company, 2000.
2

relevance to government.6 It is about opinion that people hold about matter of public concern
which government find it precedent to heed. It is the sum of all private opinions which
government officials are aware and take into consideration in decision making. In 1978 Barry
Hughes identified public into 3 categories. First a large group people who acknowledge about the
most significant international events but have weak opinions. Secondly, public which are aware
about many major international events but was not deeply informed about them. Finally, is a
group of people who are generally knowledgeable about foreign issues and holding strong
confidence on its.7
In the meantime, according to Encyclopedia of the social sciences, decision making could
be defined as social process that selects a problem for decision and produces a limited number of
alternatives from which a particular alternative is selected for implementation and execution.8
Decision making correspondently be defined as a process of identifying problem for decision,
devising alternative causes of action and choosing one alternative to be formulated.9

CHARACTERISTIC OF PUBLIC OPINION

Public opinion characterized by four characteristics which are intensity, saliency,
volatility and limitation. Opinion can be described as intensity or very strong. A researcher said a
minority group is more passionate about an issue rather than the majority. For instance, the polls
show that almost 60 percent citizen of America favored gun control legislation. However, the
minority who opposed it in many decades feel more intense regard this issue. In addition, public
opinion is also recognized as salient, impact or relevant. For instance, during inflation many
6

Danty Jr,International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences,( 2nd ed). USA, Thomson Gale Corporation, 2008, 616
Hastedt P., American Foreign Policy Past, Present and Future : (New Jersey, Prentice Hall Eaglewood, 1950),
8
Sills L., International Encyclopedia Of the Social Sciences, (vol 3): New York, The Macmillan Company and The
Free Press, 1972. 55
9
Abd. Rashid Moten & El-Fateh Abdel Salam, Glossary of Political Sciences: Singapore, Thomson Learning PTE.
LTD, 2005. 35
7

working people do not feel the impact because their incomes also directly increasing. In contrast,
the pensioners will taste the impact because they are depending on fix income.
Another characteristic of public opinion is volatile or stable and permanent. For example,
during 1965 until 1966 there is strong support toward Vietnams war. However, the supports
were shift toward widespread opposition in 1967 to 1968. Hastedt also agreed saying that public
opinion is found to be stable and permissive, and willing to follow the presidents lead. 10 For
instances, during the Cuban Missile crisis the popularity of President Kennedy was increased
from 61 to 74 percent. In fact, his popularity continuously jumped until 85 percent even though
the mission was failed. Public acceptance on certain issue has it limitation. The prolonged
government in dealing with foreign policy will withdraw public support. For example, the
inability President Carter to end the Iranian hostage crisis had decreased public support to the
government. In short, the characteristic of public attitudes toward certain issues in decision
making are much influence by several factors such as age, educational level, sex, political
ideology, income and so on.

CHANNEL INFLUENCES OF PUBLIC OPINION

How public influence on certain issues in decision making? At the one time, public
influences are being channeled throughout certain machinery such as interest group, public
opinion polls, political party, internet and media. Interest group is the major source of public
opinion.11 Interest group does not involve in political process such as labor unions, government
agencies & departments, environmental groups, business association, and etc. instead interest
group play a significant role in influencing citizens to be aware about certain government policy.
10

Hastedt P., American Foreign Policy Past, Present and Future. (New Jersey, Prentice Hall Eaglewood, 1950)
Hilsman, Laura & Weitsman, The Politics of Policy Making in Defense & Foreign Affairs, Conceptual Model and
Bureaucratic Politics (3rd ed) : USA, A Pearson Education Company, 2000
11

For instances, lately Sahabat Alam Malaysia has made a demonstration to persuade people for
jointly disagree with the issue regarding government decision to build a dam in the Sabah saving
forest.
Another source of information on public opinion is public opinions polls. 12 Public
opinions polls also known as a public opinion survey is made in the larger society.it is very
important where they gather data that complement information from recognized sources. It is
difficult to ask million of people about certain issues. Therefore, usually this initiatives is
conducted by some private organizations like Survey Research Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. For example,
one year after the 2008 election survey has been made in Selangor constituency to see people
response toward state administration and policy outcome under Chief Minister Khalid.
In addition, political party also plays a significant role in channeling public opinion
toward decision making. Political party is base on ideologies and beliefs. Political party is a
medium of people to articulate their interest to the government. For example, during Palestinian
crisis some of the political party jointly shows their support against the Israel such as PAS and
Pakatan Rakyat.
Moreover, recently internet becomes popular ways for people to express their
dissatisfaction to government. Public are likely to use blog, website and email to criticize about
government policy. Beside, internet can reach fastest even in the rural areas and can influence
strongest. For instances, the controversial blogger of Malaysian Today Raja Petra Kamaruddin is
always criticize government policy which sometime led to political crisis.

IMPACTS OF PUBLIC OPINION IN DECISION MAKING

12

ibid

Public opinion has several impacts on the policy process. It can serves as a constraint on
policy innovation, a source of policy innovation and resource to be drawn upon by policy makers
in implementing policy.

13

Firstly, public attitudes act as a block to policy innovation. Mass

opinion may set general limits because public are subject within the government act. Attitudes of
public is unpredictable, thus, the decision makers feared that public will not permit certain ideas
and public will mobilized against certain innovations. As a result, it make policy rigidity and so
difficult to change. For examples, before Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir announced to
implement English language into subject Math and Sciences only 41 percent of the public favor
such policy. After the announcement, only 75 percent favored it. This evidence supporting the
proposition that public is inclined to approve of the decision that leaders make.
Beside that, public opinion is a incentive to foreign policy innovation. 14 The public
attitudes may serve as a source of foreign policy by affecting policy makers thinking.
Nowadays, public appear to place a new item in political agendas. For instances, consider the
issue of U.S policy toward the admission of Mainland China into American. On 1950 only 15
percent supported it. Nine years after, more than half citizen agreed to that issue. In short, shift of
public opinion can lead to policy changes especially matters concerning a specific issue.
Finally, public opinion is a resource in International Bargaining.15 A strong support to
government policy came from a unified public opinion. As a result, it will enhance a strongest
bargaining power of state with other nations at the international level. Policy maker are sometime
use to manipulate public opinion to bargain with other states concerning certain policy. For
instances, the policy makers sit in the table with other nation and can just simply said that their

13

Kegley W. & Wittkopf R., American Foreign Polcy Pattern & Process (2nd ed), New York, St Martin Press,
1982.289
14
Ibid 290
15
Ibid,291

people will not tolerate with the matters concern. This shows that public has strong influence in
international bargaining.

CASE STUDY
In this paper I took a issue of Iran and American hostages as a case study. In 1953 Iran
was taken over by Shah Muhammad Reza Pahlevi. Shah is a dictatorial, tyronicall and arbitrary
leader. He had hold power for almost 26 years since 1953 until 1979. US is a close ally of Iran
where it has been given militarily and economically supports. However, along his leadership,
Shah has alienated Iranian society, thus in in 1978 hid position is threaten

by Ayatollah

Khomeini, the top religious leader. At he same time, US lose it trust with Shah and began to form
a relationship with Ayatollah. Finally, in 1979 Shah is being exile and Mehdi Bazargan become a
prime minister as chosen by Ayatollah. At the same time, Shah suffer from cancer and he try to
seek a medical treatment in United States. US allowed Shah to enter US for treatment. However,
it action was opposed by Iranian and American Embassy in Iran where they oppose the admitting
of Shah into US. As a result 53 American hostages were held for 444 days unless Shah will be
return to Iran. In fact, the group of militants took control over the United States embassy and
demanded for Shah went into trial. After that, Khomeini condoned both the take over and
militants. This event show that the important of action of public which refer to the militants
either to support or not to support the US policy while opening an entrance for Shah.

REFERENCES
9

Abd. Rashid Moten & El-Fateh Abdel Salam, Glossary of Political Sciences: Singapore,
Thomson Learning PTE. LTD, 2005
Danty Jr,International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences,( 2nd ed). USA, Thomson Gale
Corporation, 2008
Hastedt P., American Foreign Policy Past, Present and Future. (New Jersey, Prentice Hall
Eaglewood, 1950)
Harrigan J and David C. Nice, Politics and Policy in States and Communities, ( New York,
Pearson Longman , 2008)
Hilsman, Laura & Weitsman, The Politics of Policy Making in Defense & Foreign Affairs,
Conceptual Model and Bureaucratic Politics (3rd ed) : USA, A Pearson Education Company,
2000
Kegley W. & Wittkopf R., American Foreign Polcy Pattern & Process (2nd ed), New York, St
Martin Press
Sills L., International Encyclopedia Of the Social Sciences, (vol 3): New York, The Macmillan
Company and The Free Press, 1972
The New Encyclopedia Britannica , (vol 9) : USA, Encyclopedia Britannica Inc. 1998)
Wiarda J., Foreign Policy Without Illusion, (United States of America, University of
Massachusetts, Amherst, 1990)

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