Public Opinion

Walter Lippmann

Simon and Schuster, 1997 - Language Arts & Disciplines - 272 pages

In what is widely considered the most influential book ever written by Walter Lippmann, the late journalist and social critic provides a fundamental treatise on the nature of human information and communication. As Michael Curtis indicates in his introduction to this edition. Public Opinion qualifies as a classic by virtue of its systematic brilliance and literary grace. The work is divided into eight parts, covering such varied issues as stereotypes, image making, and organized intelligence. The study begins with an analysis of "the world outside and the pictures in our heads," a leitmotif that starts with issues of censorship and privacy, speed, words, and clarity, and ends with a careful survey of the modern newspaper. The work is a showcase for Lippmann's vast erudition. He easily integrated the historical, psychological, and philosophical literature of his day, and in every instance showed how relevant intellectual formations were to the ordinary operations of everyday life. Public Opinion is of enduring significance for communications scholars, historians, sociologists, and political scientists. --Publisher description.

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LibraryThing Review

User Review  - Paul_S - LibraryThing

Insightful and timeless. I didn't realise until halfway through that this was written a century ago. Makes good points about the problems with democracy and limits to informed decision making.

Contents

• The World Outside and the Pictures in Our Heads: 3
• Part 2: 23
• Contact and Opportunity: 30
• Time and Attention: 37
• Part 3: 51
• Stereotypes as Defense: 63
• Blind Spots and Their Value: 69
• Codes and Their Enemies: 76
• The Detection of Stereotypes: 85
• INTERESTS: 101
• Selfinterest Reconsidered: 110
• The Transfer of Interest: 125
• ix: 140
• Yes or No: 141
• 1 Leaders and the Rank and File: 150
• Part 6: 159
• The SelfContained Community: 167
• The Role of Force Patronage and Privilege: 175
• Guild Socialism: 185
• A New Image: 195
• The Buying Public: 201
• The Constant Reader: 208
• j The Nature of News: 214
• News Truth and a Conclusion: 226
• The Entering Wedge: 233
• Intelligence Work: 239
• The Appeal to the Public: 250
• The Appeal to Reason: 258

About the author

Walter Lippmann was a writer, reporter and political commentator. With a career spanning 60 years he is famous for being among the first to introduce the concept of Cold War, coining the term.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Public Opinion; A Free Press Paperback; Political science
• Author: Walter Lippmann
• Edition: reprint, reissue
• Publisher: Simon and Schuster, 1997
• ISBN: 0684833271, 9780684833279
• Length: 272 pages
• Subjects: Language Arts & Disciplines / Communication Studies; Political Science / General; Political Science / Public Affairs & Administration; Political Science / Public Opinion Polling