This document discusses definitions and perspectives on the concept of public interest (PI). It begins by providing Walter Lippmann's definition of PI as "the welfare or well-being of the general public." The document then notes that political scientist Glendon Schubert argued PI makes no operational sense and researchers would be better off focusing on more useful concepts. Finally, the document presents other scholars' statements on PI, such as it being "too burdened with multiple meanings" or a "useful myth," before concluding that attempting to define PI is similar to defining love as the concept means different things to different people and defies measurement.

1. 
 BYBy By
G.C.Kumari Peiris
B.Com.(Accountancy),APFA,CBA

2.  Introduction to PI
 Definition of PI
 Statements made on PI

3. “the welfare or well-being of the general public”
Random House Dictionary
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

4. Definition of PI - made by Walter Lippman
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Reference - http://www.azquotes.com/quote/1090733

5. PI makes no operational
sense……Political
scientists might better
spend their time
nurturing concepts that
offer greater promise of
becoming useful tools in
the scientific study of
political responsibility
Glendon Schubert Reference - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Public-Interest-G-
Schubert/dp/B0007HWOIC
statements made on PI

6. Other statements made on PI
 “ too burdened with multiple meanings for valuable use”
Frank Sorauf
 “While that PI is a myth, it is a useful myth”
Howard Smith
 “There has never been a society which was not ,in some way ,and to
some extent guided by this ideal”
Bell and Kristol

7. PI and LOVE ??????
Attempting to define Public Interest is a little like trying
to define Love.
It is clear that Love means,
 Different things to different people
 changes over time in both form and substance
 Motivates behavior
 Frames our thinking
 Defies measurement