Public Opinion — Chapter XXVII The Appeal to The Public

1. 1. The amount of public attention is far too small for citizens to be informed on all issues, so intelligence bureaus should primarily serve decision-makers, not the general public.
2. 2. Appealing to the public on intricate matters often aims to escape criticism from knowledgeable parties by enlisting an uninformed majority.
3. 3. Effective public opinion on disputes requires a procedure with neutral mediators and expert fact-finding to break through stereotypes and slogans.
4. 4. Expert mediation disintegrates partisanship by untangling stereotypes and slogans, allowing outsiders to avoid emotional entanglement.
5. 5. The mind often contains disordered associations of words and emotions, which can be clarified by Socratic questioning and naming specific objects.
6. 6. Naming specific facts, such as which labor groups are underpaid rather than saying 'Labor is Exploited,' makes ideas objective and open to correction.
7. 7. Civic education should teach students to examine sources of information, recognize stereotypes, and introspect about imagery evoked by words.
8. 8. Studying error and prejudice provides a stimulating introduction to truth, giving emotional incentive to appreciate scientific method.