Problem
Some people are more knowledgeable, interested, ideological, and hence more politically active, than others. What accounts for these variations in politicization and what can be done to increase the level of political awareness in the general population? What are the likely policy consequences if the situation remains unchanged?
If party loyalties were to decline over the next few decades, what would such a development mean for the comparative strengths of the two major parties and the way national campaigns would be handled? Also, would public opinion be more receptive to the formation of a new party?
According to the author, public opinion has a powerful though inexact influence on government. Discuss this idea, using historical and current issues as examples?