Almond–Lippmann consensus

The Almond–Lippmann consensus is a principle of political theory authored by Gabriel Almond and Walter Lippmann shortly after the Second World War. It states that public opinion is the following:

1. it is volatile and irrational and thus a dubious basis for foreign policy;
2. it is devoid of interest and susceptible to manipulation and thus should not be studied.^[1]

The consensus was highly influential in the 1950s and 1960s but weakened following the conclusion of the Vietnam War, when it became clear that "the American public had taken a more sober and enlightened approach toward the war than the heads of government did," which led to Lippmann himself recanting.^[1]

See also

• Gabriel Almond
• Walter Lippmann

References