The Shape of Public Opinion on War and Terrorism

John GlaserDo leaders, elites, and mass media shape public opinion on issues of war and terrorism from the top down? Or, in a more bottom ‐​up fashion, does the public cling to certain ideas and fears to which national figures and a competitive news media then pander? Cato ’s Senior Fellow John Mueller has a new White Paper out today entitledPublic Opinion on War and Terror: Manipulated or Manipulating? in which he makes a persuasive, and controversial, case that, contrary to common assumptions and much commentary, public opinion is not very effectively manipulated from the top down and indeed it may work in the reverse direction. From the executive summary:Leaders, elites, and the media may put ideas on the shelf, but that doesn ’t mean people will buy them. And when they do, it may often be best to conclude that the message has struck a responsive chord rather than that the public has been manipulated.As people sort through offerings on display, they pick and choose which ideas to embrace and which threats to fear. Some ideas become salient or even go viral while others stir no interest whatever. People can accept cues from those seeking to “manipulate” them—such as public officials, party leaders, opinion elites, the media, and advertisers. They can let themselves be affected by social and group influences or identities. They can respond to facts. They can apply rough, but ready, preexisting heuristics or attitudes, or “core” or ...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs