UNDERSTANDING THE ROOTCAUSE OF DISTRUST OF POLITICIANS AND GOVERNMENT

The distrust of politicians and government is strongly connected to how citizens feel about the overall state of their country. The discontent with the honesty of elected officials is a leading cause of distrust of government. Disillusionment with political leaders is essentially as important a factor in distrust of government as is criticism of the way government performs its duties.

Discontent with political leaders and lack of faith in the political system are principal factors that stand behind public distrust of government. Much of that criticism involves the honesty and ethics of government leaders. Concern about moral decline is also a major component of discontent with a nation.

Criticism of political leaders is a principal driver of distrust in government. Criticism of political leaders is as important an element in the distrust equation as the view that government does a poor job in running its programs. Concern about honesty and ethics in politics is an important link between distrust in government and pessimism about the state of a nation. Perceptions of a nation overwhelmed by moral and social problems are strongly linked to pessimism about a country’s future.

Whatever the reason, a government’s perceived performance failures significantly undermine trust. One reason performance factors so prominently in trust is that citizens have high expectations for the role government should play in public life.

Instead, distrust of the government and low opinions of the state of a nation seem to weaken people’s connections to civic life. Interest in public affairs, and voting are victims of low public esteem for politicians, which is an integral component of distrust.

Views about government performance, power and priorities are more important than “trust,” in judging public opinion of the government.