Theories of U.S. Government,

1
Theories of U.S. Government,

• Or
• How you look at something determines how you see
  it!

2
What is the role of public opinion in the
formation of public policy?
The Elite Theory
Pluralism
3
Public Opinion Public Policy?

• Public Opinion what the People want.

Public Policy what the government does.
Does Public Opinion cause (or have an impact
upon) Public Policy?
4

(
government officials
)
interest groups
political parties
Public Opinion

campaigns and PACs

Public Policy
lobby groups
churches, non-profits,
unions, corporations, etc
media
Thats Pluralism!
expressed through
articulated by
represented by
5
Most Presidents claim popular opinion doesnt
(and shouldnt) matter.

6

elite (15,000 250,000 people)
Elite Theory
sub-elite (1- 3 million people)
Imagine the top one million most important
jobs in the US - Not wealth, but the
importance of their jobs. - Not riches, but
function. - Not income, but impact.

1/4
1/4
1/2
7
Some members of the elite
Not just elected representatives and government
officials. (535 in Senate and House) (15,000
250,000 jobs)

• Trump
• Oprah
• Gates
• Jennings
• Limbaugh
• CEO and Directors
• of Churches, Non-profits,
• Unions, Corporations, etc
• revolving door

? How many can you name?
8
Does public opinion impact public policy?

• OR

Do the elites (the policy makers)
shape, influence, or control
public opinion?