Question

B. Why is it important for parties to influence public opinion if they want to shape public policy?

C. To what degree do you think political parties allow citizens to participate in the democratic process? Do they give some citizens more opportunity to participate than others? How could political parties be made more successful as linkage institutions?

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Public opinion does not make public policy; rather, it restrains government officials from making truly unpopular actions/laws.

C. By voting, citizens are participating in the democratic process. Citizens vote for leaders to represent them and their ideas, and the leaders support the citizens' interests. There are two special rights only for U.S. citizens: voting in federal elections and running for federal office.