The emergence of public opinion as a significant force in the political realm can be dated to the late 17th century. However, opinion had been regarded as having singular importance since far earlier. Medieval fama publica or vox et fama communis had great legal and social importance from the 12th and 13th centuries onward. Later, William Shakespeare called public opinion the ' mistress of success ' and Blaise Pascal thought it was ' the queen of the world. ' John Locke in his treatise An Essay Concerning Human Understanding considered that man was subject to three laws: the divine law, the civil law, and most importantly in Locke 's judgement, the law of opinion or reputation. He regarded the latter as of the highest importance because dislike and ill - opinion force people to conform in their behaviour to social norms, however he did n't consider public opinion as a suitable influence for governments.
who consider public opinion as the mistress of success
William Shakespeare