Trust and distrust in institutions

Dominika Latusek and Karen S. Cook

Chapter 3 in Handbook on Trust in Public Governance, 2025, pp 40-59 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter critically examines the nuanced relationship between trust, distrust, and institutions, and their impact on contemporary societies. It explores public institutions’ dual role in fostering trust and functioning as its foundation, addressing the complexity of these entities as both targets and sources of trust. The chapter delves into the nature of trust, discussing its formation, driving factors, and the essential role of trustworthiness, while cautioning against the dangers of misplaced trust. It also differentiates between distrust and low trust, highlighting distrust's unique characteristics, origins, and consequences, especially in public governance contexts. The analysis extends to considering institutions as trustors and the potential distinction between trust and confidence in the public sector. The chapter concludes by identifying future research directions, emphasising the need to differentiate between low trust and distrust, explore institutions’ role as trustors, and clarify the distinction between trust and confidence. This comprehensive investigation aims to advance the understanding of trust dynamics in institutional contexts and their broader societal implications.

Keywords: Trust; Distrust; Institutions; Trustworthiness; Public governance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781802201390
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