Public Opinion Forming Process as a Factor of Success in the Informational Warfare

Abstract

The article deals with the basic approaches of public opinion concept from position of the certain image character in the human mind. Based on the concepts of public opinion as a rational process and social control, the process of public opinion forming is characterized and its external and internal dimensions are revealed. The classification of the stages of public opinion forming, proposed by researchers, is analyzed. Also identified their disadvantages and proposed appropriate additions. A list of techniques for providing this process is presented and disclosed. Attention is drawn to the lack of universal techniques. States that the variability of the use such tools for public opinion forming is depending on a particular stage of this process. The importance of public opinion forming in order to ensure the legitimacy of the public policy implementation in the context of successful information warfare, both internal and external, is explained.

Public opinion formation is seen as a complex systematic process that is an integral part of the political sphere of society. In its essence, it can be caused by both internal and external confrontation. But it should be understood that in absolute terms, public opinion is a fiction, since the full consent of all individuals within one society is unlikely. When speaking “public opinion”, the position of a significant number of social groups (layers) or expert circles should be taken into account (an attempt may be made to express their views for public opinion). Despite ephemerality, public opinion, as a phenomenon of social life, is extremely important for shaping the domestic and foreign policy of the state. This applies even to authoritarian and totalitarian countries whose rulers seek to legitimize unlawful decisions by public opinion. Therefore, it becomes an arena of struggle between different political actors, speaking of the internal aspect, and between hostile states - in the event of a military conflict. In a hybrid war, public opinion, both of their own society and that of the enemy, is the object of attack # 1, since establishing control over the process of its formation means entering the political sphere and entails the acquisition of power, which without proper reaction will mean defeat. Accordingly, engaging in an information war, preparing to fight back an enemy, or already defending the information space, one must understand that public opinion is the backbone and a source of ensuring the legitimacy of a particular policy. Therefore, establishing control over the process of forming the public opinion of both their society and the society of the a priori will ensure success.