The public should have the most influence in shaping public policy.

The public
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The public should have the most influence in shaping public policy. In democratic countries, the leaders determine the public policy a country will have. The public is the source of the power and leadership that determines a country’s public policy through electing of individuals to national, state and local leadership constituents. The public also utilizes this power to put pressure on elected and appointed officials and individuals running for office, to implement policies that favor the interests and needs of the citizens. Therefore, since the elected leaders are bound by the support of the voters to support legislation and policy initiatives that align with them, the public should have the most influence in public policy (Page & Shapiro, 2010, pp.5-10). Additionally, public influence provides opportunities for people with diverse interests and identities to voice their opinions and public concerns over various issues. By grouping in specific banners, the groups raise awareness on issues that have a significant effect on them such as energy prices, climate change, family rights, and abortion among others and push their opinion forward, which becomes part of the policy-making process.
The public should have a significant influence on shaping public policy due to several reasons. First, the considerable influence impacts a change in history such as whether a country goes to war or not. Citizens of different countries have always determined whether their country involves itself in war or not. For instance, during the great US depression, Franklin Roosevelt declined to join the fight against Germany as both he and the citizens did not feel the war involved them. However, the bombing of the Pearl Harbor changed ever...