Chapter 7 outline- public opinion, ideology, participation, and voting Tuesday, October 4, 2016 8:41 AM I. What is public opinion? A. Government does not always do what people want 1. Unbalanced budget 2. Opposition to busing 3. Support for ERA 4. Aid to Nicaragua 5. Congressional term limits 6. Campaign Finance Reform 7. Gun Control 8. Abortion B . Reasons public policy and public opinion may differ 1. Many constitutional checks on public opinion; many public's conflict 2. Difficult to know public opinion 3. Government listens more to elite views C. Influences and limitations 1. Public ignorance: Monetary Control Bill ruse, poor name recognition of leaders 2. Importance of wording of questions: affects answer 3. Instability of public opinion