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Constructing Public Opinion
Is polling a process that brings ""science"" into the study of society? Or are polls crude instruments that tell us little about the way people actually think? The role of public opinion polls in government and mass media has gained increasing importance with each new election or poll taken.
Here Lewis presents a new look at an old tradition, the first study of opinion polls using an interdisciplinary approach combining cultural studies, sociology, political science, and mass communication. Rather than dismissing polls, he considers them to be a significant form of representation in contemporary culture; he explores how the media report on polls and, in turn, how publicized results influence the way people respond to polls. Lewis argues that the media tend to exclude the more progressive side of popular opinion from public debate. While the media's influence is limited, it works strategically to maintain the power of pro-corporate political elites.
Here Lewis presents a new look at an old tradition, the first study of opinion polls using an interdisciplinary approach combining cultural studies, sociology, political science, and mass communication. Rather than dismissing polls, he considers them to be a significant form of representation in contemporary culture; he explores how the media report on polls and, in turn, how publicized results influence the way people respond to polls. Lewis argues that the media tend to exclude the more progressive side of popular opinion from public debate. While the media's influence is limited, it works strategically to maintain the power of pro-corporate political elites.
- GenresPolitics
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 26, 2018
Interesting but blatantly biased.
August 8, 2023
Borrowed this book from my uni's library because the overall idea seemed really appealing 👀
It was good, could've been better. Writing this review almost a week after finishing it, I can't say I remember most details. Some parts were super interesting and really got my brain working, but others were just quite boring 🤷♀️ (not saying the book is bad at all, just that much of the info. wasn't relevant to me).
Still, I liked how the author expanded on some particular concepts and defied the validity of opinion polls. Also, I'm fond of the way in which he delved into the influence dynamics between politics and public opinion (still thinking about the question of which aspect dominates which) 🤔.
I couldn't finish this without highlighting the tremendous amount of research that obviously went into this book. Lots of statistics and trustworthy data that are worth taking a look at 😉
Different from what I'm used to, but okey 😊
It was good, could've been better. Writing this review almost a week after finishing it, I can't say I remember most details. Some parts were super interesting and really got my brain working, but others were just quite boring 🤷♀️ (not saying the book is bad at all, just that much of the info. wasn't relevant to me).
Still, I liked how the author expanded on some particular concepts and defied the validity of opinion polls. Also, I'm fond of the way in which he delved into the influence dynamics between politics and public opinion (still thinking about the question of which aspect dominates which) 🤔.
I couldn't finish this without highlighting the tremendous amount of research that obviously went into this book. Lots of statistics and trustworthy data that are worth taking a look at 😉
Different from what I'm used to, but okey 😊
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews