Discussion:
Review the :Speier, H. (1950). Historical Development of Public Opinion,American Journal of Sociology, 55, 4. 376-388
And answer the following questions:
How does Speier define public opinion?
Until the French Revolution writers feared that the public at large were unreliable due to superstition, prejudice, and excess passion. Who did earlier writers believe was likely to hold reasonable opinions?
What does Speier mean when he says that "Public opinion is a phenomenon of middle-class civilization"?
What new ways to circulate information helped the new middle class learn about current affairs?