Final answer:
Government intervention is sometimes necessary to address market failures and collective action problems, and public opinion can influence government policy through social movements and democratic engagement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The power of public opinion or social movements and certain problems and circumstances may dictate that government should be involved to address various social, economic, and political issues. Government intervention may be necessary in cases where market failures occur, such as in monopolies or situations involving negative externalities. Additionally, political solutions are required to solve collective action problems that cannot be managed through personal relationships, such as free riding, tragedies of the commons, and prisoner's dilemmas.
Moreover, social movements and public opinion play a critical role in democratic processes, acting as a form of political expression when formal institutions may not adequately represent the will of the people. Public engagement through voting, demonstrations, and contacting elected officials can influence public policy direction. This engagement underscores the importance of citizen participation and the influence of public opinion in shaping government actions and policy outcomes.