Final answer:
Public opinion is important because it is the mechanism by which the public alerts elected officials of their preferences and influences government policy. In democratic societies, public opinion plays a vital role in legitimizing governments and informing the decision-making process.
Step-by-step explanation:
Public opinion is important because it is the mechanism by which the public alerts elected officials of their preferences. Elected officials also rely on swaying public opinion in order to sell a legislative agenda to the public as the best course of action. Studies have shown that public opinion does influence government policy, and politicians who frequently seek to win office pay attention to changes in public opinion in order to avoid losing on Election Day. Public opinion polling is a way to gauge public sentiment and allows voters to assess choices and think about issues and alternatives. In democratic societies, public opinion plays a vital role in legitimizing governments and informing the decision-making process, which is why the government should find it prudent to heed public opinion.