Final answer:
The difference identified by McGee is that 'the public' is a less organized group sharing ideas while 'the people' refers to an actively engaged group in societal or democratic processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to McGee, the difference between 'the public' and 'the people' is that the public is an unorganized, relatively diffused group of people who share ideas, whereas the people connotes a more active and engaged gathering, such as those actively participating in democracy or in society. The closest answer is 'a) The public is passive, while the people are active'. The public might include members of an 'attentive public,' who pay close attention to government and politics, or 'issue publics' who concentrate on specific public policy issues. However, 'the people' often suggests a collective in active pursuit of a common goal or engaged in societal matters.