In The Public and Its Problems, a book on social and political philosophy, John Dewey shows his beliefs about the potential of human intelligence to solve problems public problems. From his perspective, Dewey clarifies the meaning and implications of concepts such as "public", "state", "government", and "political democracy". Dewey explains all this by showing the differences between the "state", which is represented by selected legislators, and the "public", the diffuse, a body of citizens who generally choose the people for the state. The public is called into question when individuals experience the negative consequences of exchanges beyond their control (such as market or government activity). The public is made up of people whose similar interest is fixated on resolving these negative externalities through legislation; in fact, Dewey believes that a public does not truly exist until a negative externality calls it into being. Dewey declares that this happens when people can begin to understand how the results of indirect actions affect them as a whole: and the serious consequences of joint and interactive behavior call into existence an audience that has a common interest in controlling these consequences” ( Dewey, 126). Therefore, an audience only develops when it has a purpose and gathers around a significant or important topic. Dewey reluctantly acknowledges the arguments of other opponents of modern democracy such as Walter Lippman. Dewey believes that there are influential forces that work to hide the public and prevent them from clearly defining their needs. For example, Dewey explains how special interest, control of corporate wealth, numbing and entertainment diversion, are common… at the center of the card… the “Great Community”. He writes: “Without such communication the public will remain shadowy and shapeless… Until the Great Society is converted into a Great Community, the Public will remain in eclipse. Only communication can create a great community” (Dewey, 142). Overall, John Dewey's The Public and Its Problems largely addresses the problem of increasing access to scientific and specialized knowledge in a way that recognizes the ideals of democratic societies. actions performed by and between people are private, meaning they concern only the individuals in question and have no legitimate interest for anyone else. But some activities by individuals can have indirect consequences on others. Work cited Dewey John. 1954. "The Public and Its Problems." United States of America: Swallow Press/Ohio University Press Books.