Opinion policy process is the relationship between public opinion and public policy. Regarding public affairs, individuals form opinions through groups, counter balancing the opinions of the elite. Walter Lippmann, an expert on public opinion, characterizes the ideal omnicompitent citizen. Must be capable of choosing rationally from among competing persons and policies. The voters of which we are speaking hold predisposed notions regarding politicians as well as the media.
Voters are often cynical about journalists motives as well as politicians intentions.
However, this opinion is not one-sided. The media and politicians are cynical about the public as well. Voters often believe that politicians and the media are more interested in benefiting themselves rather than the nation. Research shows that Americans are among the lowest participants in elections in an industrialized nation. A significant part of the public think of themselves as being poorly informed.