Question

What role (if any) does public opinion play in public administration? What does Wilson mean by "the error of trying to do too much with the vote"?

Answer 1

Public opinion can play an integral part in democratic public administration and policy making. Public administration works to improve society as a whole. Public opinion highlights the needs and demands of the general public. Also, public opinion highlights the mass verdict about embracement of any policy or procedure. If the policy drafted by the public administration, is not welcomed and embraced by the public, such a policy becomes futile. So, for successful implementation and embracement of any kind of policy, public administration must take the public opinion under consideration.

By saying “the error of trying to do too much with the vote", Wilson was trying to highlight the deplorable condition of the existing voting system. More than 80% of the people do not understand the real power of democracy. Most citizens decide their vote on the basis of personal bias and social identities. They give very minimal importance to the actual and honest reality check. In a democratic nation, the citizens need to understand the seriousness of their voting power and decide the vote accordingly.