In What Ways Does Public Opinion Influence the Formation of a Democratic Society?

I believe that public opinion influences the formation of a democratic society almost completely.  We vote, we can talk to our state representatives if we do not agree with what they are doing, have protests, strikes, all kinds of things to influence what the government is doing.  It takes the people to make the democratic society and the book, The Politics of Power by authors, Katznelson, Kesselman, and Draper express that in chapter 4 of their book.  In this chapter they discuss the many ways that the public influences the formation of a democratic society. When speaking about polls, the authors state, "[A] great deal of evidence shows that the views Americans hold about particular sets of issues come in coherent bundles.  Issues about which individuals have preferences-taxes, social welfare, fiscal policy, and the environment-tend to line up together as choices about weather the federal government should do more, or less"(Katzneslon, Kesselman, Draper, 81).  They talk about the polls that are done and how most Americans make informed choices, about how race and religion play a factor, about capitalism, and about the differing views of liberals and conservatives.  When the authors write about the differing vies of liberals and conservatives, they write, "Americans may know a little or a lot about any particular area, but they tend to have clear and coherent thoughts about the scope of what the national government should be doing.  This, of course, is the question that most divides Republicans and conservatives, who tend to favor less activity, from Democrats and liberals, who tend to favor more...When asked directly to choose ideological labels or the general question of whether government should do more of less, more Americans describe themselves as conservatives than as liberals, and a majority consistently say that government is too large, too intrusive, or spends too much.  Yet when Americans are asked specific questions about spending to achieve particular policy goals-environmental beauty, better nutrition for poor children, improved schooling, and the like-some six out of then consistently favor liberal positions"(Katzneslon, Kesselman, Draper, 81-82).   We are a county that is divided on beliefs, but at the end of the day we are all Americans and want our democracy to work.  We just need to stay informed and continue to speak our minds about the issues that are important to us and make sure we stay true to ourselves.  Throughout reading the chapter in the book and pondering on my own thoughts, it has been made clear to me that public opinion is very influential.