The impact of public opinion on Foreign Policy and the role of media as a linking mechanism - a US perspective

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The impact of public opinion on Foreign Policy and the role of media as a linking mechanism - a US perspective.

1.

Introduction

The question about the relation between foreign policy and public opinion is far from clear. However, according to Holsti and Sobel there is some evidence that public opinion constrains foreign policy decisions and that there is a general correspondence between public opinion and policy decisions. It is certainly clear that public opinion provides an important input to policy decisions. Despite some early scepticism about the rationality of public opinion regarding the foreign policy, most studies show that public opinion on foreign policy issues is relatively stable, driven by specific events, generally anti isolationist, and strongly multilateral (Holsti 1996; Kull and Destler 1999; Page and Shapiro 1992) .

Although there is a reasonable understanding of the nature of public opinion about foreign affairs, there is much less known about the sources of this opinion.

Many studies have revealed that mass media content is the most likely source of over-time changes in individuals' foreign policy preferences. The mass media are the primary connection between the public and policymakers. Policymakers follow media reports on public