Trust in International Organizations: An Empirical Investigation Focusing on the United Nations

Benno Torgler

No 05-2007, Working Papers from Institute of Local Public Finance

Abstract: The literature on social capital has strongly increased in the last two decades, but there still is a lack of substantial empirical evidence about the determinants of international trust. This empirical study analyses a cross-section of individuals, using micro-data from the World Values Survey, covering 38 countries, to investigate trust in international organizations, specifically in the United Nations. In line with previous studies on international trust we find that political trust matters. We also find that social trust is relevant, but contrary to previous studies the results are less robust. Moreover, the paper goes beyond previous studies investigating also the impact of geographic identification, corruption and globalization. We find that a higher level of (perceived) corruption reduces the trust in the UN in developed countries, but increases trust in developing and transition countries. A stronger identification with the world as a whole also leads to a higher trust in the UN and a stronger capacity to act globally in economic and political environment increases trust in the UN.

Keywords: International Organizations; United Nations; International Trust; Political Trust; Social Trust; Corruption; Globalization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D73 O19 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 38 pages
Date: 2007-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-pol and nep-soc
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Working Paper: Trust in International Organizations: An Empirical Investigation Focusing on the United Nations (2007)
Working Paper: Trust in International Organizations: An Empirical Investigation Focusing on the United Nations (2006)
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