The power of opinion polls and the risk of manipulation
Remus Ștefureac
Opinions
Foto INSCOP Research
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Opinion polls are vital in a democratic regime, as they are a powerful tool for legitimizing decisions because they bring the voice of citizens, unfiltered by the media, social media bubbles, communities of sycophants or consultants eager to keep clients alive, even if only on machines, in front of decision-makers.
In critical times, the importance of opinion polls grows exponentially. That is why political actors sometimes tend to hijack them, to use them as a manipulative tool, sometimes with the direct help of those who conduct them or advise them (and advise them badly, because loyalty to a client means first and foremost that the client knows when he or she is doing badly in the polls in order to find ways to improve, if possible).
Sadly, these days the charade of bad, manipulative surveys we saw last year (both published and, ironically, unpublished ones delivered to clients as counterfeit steroids) continues.
And if last year, some did not suspect what the consequences of such actions might be, this year the consequences are likely to become downright catastrophic, and such downright irresponsible operations will affect us all (from the state to society).
In critical times, the importance of opinion polls grows exponentially. That is why political actors sometimes tend to hijack them, to use them as a manipulative tool, sometimes with the direct help of those who conduct them or advise them (and advise them badly, because loyalty to a client means first and foremost that the client knows when he or she is doing badly in the polls in order to find ways to improve, if possible).
Sadly, these days the charade of bad, manipulative surveys we saw last year (both published and, ironically, unpublished ones delivered to clients as counterfeit steroids) continues.
And if last year, some did not suspect what the consequences of such actions might be, this year the consequences are likely to become downright catastrophic, and such downright irresponsible operations will affect us all (from the state to society).
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