The Public and its Problems

The Public and its Problems

In the first half of the book, the author distinguishes the public from the state by offering multiple definitions of each term. What qualities encompass the public and the state and what are the expectations of the public from the state, and why do we need a state. The public elects the state. The public does not exist until a negative external condition makes it come into being. In the second part of the book, Dewey describes the powerful forces which stop the public from addressing its needs. There are a number of problems which afflict the modern society and the amazing part is that these problems afflict the society today also such as technology, special interests, numbing and distracting entertainment and general selfishness. Well, technology is not so much a afflicting factor anymore as it can even be used to promote democracy and to increase cross country communication and globalization.

He is right to assert that some of the new technologies even at that time are far more desirable topic of discussion for the common man than the latest political news and these things also lead to disintegration of the family. Now, it’s a common scene to see every family member glued in front of a different technological entertainment depending on their age and interests. Technology has been used to improve communication but not to improve public interest in politics.

He says that there are two important factors which can help the public to get rid of the eclipse and to attain a Great Community. One factor is that each individual should have the basic intelligence to engage in political affairs and the second factor is the idea of the individual who knows all situations which require political action.

Public policy is made possible by knowledge and knowledge does not exist unless there is a systematic, thorough and well equipped search and record. Knowledge gets shaped by the private interests of the individuals.