What is public opinion, and does it matter? Please explain the role of public opinion in the American political system, and identify the contours of political socialization and cleavages in public opinion that are discussed in the chapter

What is public opinion, and does it matter? Please explain the role of public opinion in the American political system, and identify the contours of political socialization and cleavages in public opinion that are discussed in the chapter. Are there trends in public attitudes or is opinion stable; what would cause opinion to fluctuate over time? Explain why political activists are much more likely to exhibit clear ideological consistency than the average member of the public. Finally, is "divisive" opinion a good or bad thing for the public policy process.