Do any governments ever listen to the public opinion?

Question

they ask for are views on subjects eg Road pricing ,Iraq war to name a few, then just ignore the people views anyway.
Do they ever listen to us ?

Answer 1

Government is not about taking polls , or public opinion as it changes daily on many issues. Our elected officials do try to get a feel for what the will of the people is, but when we elect them, we are entrusting them w the responsibility to do what's best for the majority.

When candidates make promises it is our responsibility to ask how they intend to accomplish some of the incredible things they promise when seeking election.

Unfortunately, too many Americans hear great things & never bother to consider if those things are financially or logistically possible.....we just vote for the folks who say what we want to hear, & get what we deserve as Jefferson once stated!

Answer 2

The way things work in western democracies is that we elect people for a period of time to make laws, and to provide for the enforcement of laws, for a fixed time. If we like the results we can let them go back for a further term when the earlier term is done. If we do not like the results we can replace them with a different lot. This process can be distorted if one particular political gang can spend far more money than any other gang. Outright election fraud can also distort the process. But the biggest problem is that overwhelming numbers of citizens either pay too little attention to the choice of their delegated representatives - or just simply abstain from choosing altogether. Only a very small society - like Ancient Athens - can regularly run a process whereby all citizens can demand that particular policy choices be made - such perfect democracy soon breaks down when the number of citizens gets too big. Before criticising politicians for going their own way ask yourself - what did you do to help candidates who think as you do?

Answer 3

We live in a democracy with freedom of speech - but NO they do not listen because perhaps if they listened they would hear the crys of the NHS nurses and doctors, the small business man/woman, the employer, the employee,, the parents, the teachers, the common man on the street all putting forward their view and ideas and perhaps the country uniting to solve the far too many problems we have - rising utilities costs, rising cost of living, increasing debt, pensioners, poor NHS, waiting lists, teachers without any power to discipline, drugs, guns, crime, violence, poor savings rates yet naff mortgage rates, fraud, tax NI, paperwork, red tape and the lists just go on and on...

There are probably lots of people that have at one point pondered a situation, even discussed over a Glass of wine/beer with friends and thought they could come up with a solution but then if we did how would those in power justify their great big salaries and expenses!

Answer 4

To a certain extent, however, you have to understand that the vast majority of the people don't really have a good grasp of the situation. For the most part, it's an uneducated response to a situation. For example, The electoral college, which was brought about by George Washington, was in effect so that we the people wouldn't elect someone like Al Gore or John Kerry.... If only it had worked on Clinton, America wouldn't be in the shape it is today.

Answer 5

Speak to your local MP. They can't just mention a topic, to get the maximum impact the point a member of the public mentions has to be relevant and so as not to slow down proceedings the MP can only mention a summerised version of what the individual said. They do listen to us and take what we have said into account when writing their talks but mahy not get a change to deliver their full presentations.

Answer 6

They only listen when people take to the streets and riot - Poll Tax riots are a prime example - trouble is the attitude of the British public - they can't be bothered and think it will all go away - love them or loathe them - the French - when they get P***ed off about their government they take to the streets and make the politicians take note.

Answer 7

Depends on the quality and maturity/wisdom of the concerned public opinion, and upon the manner in which such opinion is presented. Also, on how those opinions, will influence domestic and foreign policies, besides being in line with the Constitution.

Answer 8

Ha ha! The thought of the government listening to the public makes me laugh!

Like other people have said. They listen to what we want when they want to be re-elected, so they know what lies to tell so we vote for them. Then when they are back in they go dumb again!

Answer 9

Clearly not,that's why were all here spewing our opinion to each other. You see the Government officials elect themselves in,not us and they make decisions on securing more vote's to keep them in their seat,therefore securing their retirement package and living happily ever after,in the security of the house at the top of the hill. We,live with the animals. Can you please move over,i cant get my head in the trough!!

Answer 10

I'd like to think they do - but I'm afraid that for the most part they don't. I'd like to know where they think the man in the street is going to find the money to pay for all these mad ideas they come up with.