13. Do you think opinion polls are effective in measuring the public opinion of a politician?

Opinion polls can be effective in measuring public opinion of a politician, but it's important to consider their limitations and potential biases. The effectiveness of opinion polls depends on the sampling methods used and the size and representativeness of the sample. A carefully designed and random sample can provide an accurate reflection of public opinion, while biased or unrepresentative sampling can lead to inaccurate results. Public opinion is not static and can be influenced by current events, media coverage, and other contextual factors. Therefore, the timing of the poll and the specific context in which it is conducted are crucial for its accuracy.

Public opinion can be volatile and subject to change, particularly in response to new information, events, or political developments. Therefore, a single poll may not capture the full complexity of public sentiment over time.

Respondents may provide socially desirable responses or withhold their true opinions, particularly on sensitive or controversial topics, leading to potential biases in the results.

Despite these considerations, well-designed and carefully conducted opinion polls can provide valuable insights into public opinion of a politician, enabling policymakers, analysts, and the public to gauge trends and perceptions. When interpreted with caution and an understanding of their limitations, opinion polls can be a useful tool for measuring public sentiment towards politicians.

14. Why do people abstain from voting?

Some people are conscientious nonvoters, although such people are rare. Others, perceiving the vote more as an instrument of censure than of support, may not vote because they are satisfied with the present government. This group of voluntary nonvoters is also small, however. In fact, nonvoters have been shown to be generally less satisfied with the political status quo than are voters. The vote is a rather ineffective instrument for expressing dissatisfaction, and nonvoting is more likely to be symptomatic of alienation from, than of satisfaction with, the political system. People· voluntary disenfranchise themselves by not voting. Those who feel that government policies have some direct relevance to their lives are more likely to vote than those who are disinterested or who sense the government as being more remote. Finally, a great number of random factors may determine individual participation in specific elections. Election campaigns vary in their intensity. A crisis atmosphere may induce an unusually large number of people to vote, on one occasion, whereas on another chance to vote for an extremist candidate may increase the participation of the normally disinterested. Even the weather has a substantial impact on election turnout.