Just tell me already!

Walter Lippmann has a strong opinion on who should be deciding the opinions of the masses. He feels that a small group of intellectuals should be able to make the decisions for the whole. This may be beneficial because the busy public is not able to keep up with all current events and topics. It is just not possible to have enough time to acquire all of he necessary information to make responsible decisions. Also, the general public may not be educated enough to make a conscientious choice. These are legitimate concerns and so he feels that this appointed group of intelligentsia would take it upon themselves to know the appropriate information and be educated enough to make the important decisions that the public are simply ill equipped to sort out.

I think that this agrees with the idea of propaganda presented by Bernays. He felt that propaganda, or attempting to sway the opinion of the masses, was a necessary component of the world. He also agreed that the general public is not intelligent enough to make conscious decisions. In this way propaganda could be used in an attempt to make a clearer path for the public. So that they are not lost in the confusing world but make appropriate and worthwhile decisions. He does not go so far as to say public opinion should be replaced by a small group of intelligentsia, but he does agree that the public is not educated enough to be responsible.

I think that there is some validity in saying that the people do not have enough time to get a firm grasp on the issues that they vote about each election. I also think that this information is often hidden from the public and tactics like emotional displays are instead used to attempt to sway the public. While this may work for some people, it hardly gives the public the opportunity to make the informed decisions that Lipmann and Bernays are hoping will happen. That is the fault of the government. They often skew and blur the lines so that issues are no longer about the facts but more about feeling. I think that the people should still have the opportunity to give their opinion, but I also feel that the government should be required to give the appropriate information so that they can be educated. The public should know a political candidate’s stance on a subject, not what their home life is like. Also, all of the points of legislation should be available, not hidden. This would prevent something like an environmental act to also give money to oil refineries. I think if information was freer flowing and not so obscured the public would be in a position where an informed, competent decision could be possible. In today’s world that simply isn’t possible.