Does the government shape public opinion or reflect it?

Depending on what we are, the answers may well vary, and they all make sense, but in my view, it depends on several factors. Now let me explain the details.     

First, in any country, it is natural for the government to reflect the will of “the sovereign.” So, in a democracy, elected officials should represent the interests of all the citizens. In this way, the government reflects public opinion. In other words, democracy empowers citizens to control the government, not vice versa.    

Next, diverse factors, such as how the media reports on a certain topic, can affect the relationship between the government and public opinion. For example, if the media only reports pro-government information, it may influence public opinion. For this reason, many politicians are trying to manipulate public opinion through social media such as Twitter. I am afraid this trend can undermine democratic decision-making.     

In this way, the relationship between the government and public opinion is complex and depends on many factors. So, we need to consider them carefully to lay down the optimal system. Thank you for your attention. [181 Words Type-B]