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Public Opinion
Democratic Ideals, Democratic Practice
Fifth Edition
- Rosalee A. Clawson - Purdue University, USA
- Zoe M. Oxley - Union College, USA
- Amanda Bittner - Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
September 2026 | CQ Press
In Public Opinion: Democratic Ideals, Democratic Practice, Fifth Edition, Rosalee Clawson, Zoe Oxley, and new coauthor Amanda Bittner offer students an accessible and engaging introduction to the study of public opinion.
The text explores the tension between ideals and their practice through a series of questions: In a democratic society, what should be the relationship between citizens and their government? Are citizens’ opinions pliable? Are they knowledgeable, attentive, and informed? Each chapter focuses on exemplary studies, explaining not only the conclusion of the research but also how it was conducted, helping students gain a richer understanding of the research process and see methods applied in context.
The text explores the tension between ideals and their practice through a series of questions: In a democratic society, what should be the relationship between citizens and their government? Are citizens’ opinions pliable? Are they knowledgeable, attentive, and informed? Each chapter focuses on exemplary studies, explaining not only the conclusion of the research but also how it was conducted, helping students gain a richer understanding of the research process and see methods applied in context.
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Part I: What Should the Role of Citizens Be in a Democratic Society?
Chapter 1: Public Opinion in a Democracy
Chapter 2: Studying and Measuring Public Opinion
Part II: Are Citizens Pliable?
Chapter 3: Political Socialization
Chapter 4: Mass Media
Chapter 5: Attitude Stability and Attitude Change
Part III: Do Citizens Organize Their Political Thinking?
Chapter 6: Ideology, Partisanship, and Polarization
Chapter 7: Roots of Public Opinion: Personality, Self-Interest, Values, and History
Chapter 8: Roots of Public Opinion: The Central Role of Groups
Part IV: Do Citizens Endorse and Demonstrate Democratic Basics?
Chapter 9: Knowledge, Interest, and Attention to Politics
Chapter 10: Support for Democracy and Civil Liberties
Chapter 11: Support for Civil Rights
Part V: What Is the Relationship between Citizens and Their Government?
Chapter 12: Trust in Government, Support for Institutions, and Social Capital
Chapter 13: Impact of Public Opinion on Policy
Part VI: What Do We Make of Public Opinion in a Democracy?
Chapter 14: Conclusion
Notes
Glossary