By Lee Rainie and Andrew Perrin
Survey of 10,618 adults conducted November 17-Dec 10 2018
Pew Research Center Report: Many Americans see declining levels of trust in the country, whether it is their confidence in the federal government and elected officials or their trust of each other.
To correct this problem, Americans would like to see term limits, less money in politics, and more bi-partisan statesmanship
Trust is the essential ingredient for public life and neighborly relations. The Lack of Trust makes it harder to solve the country’s problems.
Historically, Americans believed in E Pluribus Unum. (Out of many, one).
Two-Thirds of Americans have little or no confidence in the federal government. Americans feel it is very important to restore trust. They feel that the lack of trust is a sign of cultural sickness and national decline, caused by loneliness and excessive individualism.
Americans worry about the outsized influence of lobbyists and moneyed interests. They feel that our government has performance problems. They cite our inability to deal with climate change and immigration.
To redress this lack of trust, we need to get more bi-partisanship in government, reduce insult-ridden talk shows, and sensationalist stories.
Among all adults, only 22% have a high level of trust. In general older whites have a higher level of trust than younger Blacks and Hispanics. Post-graduates have a 33% confidence, while High School or less individuals have the lowest level of confidence. Stated differently, whites have double the level of trust as Blacks and Hispanics.
Young adults have little or no trust, while people over 65 have a higher level of trust. While the authors did not elaborate, I believe the level of trust declined markedly with Presidents Johnson and Nixon (Credibility Gap). Level of trust increased in the 1980’s, but has declined to historic lows currently.
The public continues to have a high level of trust in scientists, police officers, and the military. Their opinion of business leaders and elected officials is relatively low. Journalists have slightly more than 50% trust. Two-thirds of Americans distrust the honest and integrity of politicians.
Americans still feel confident that their fellow citizens will act well. They will still report serious local problems to authorities, obey federal and state laws, and try to help those in need.
While 53% of Americans still feel our elections are fair, 47% do not have confidence.
Only a slight majority of Americans feel that they can have civil conversations with people who have different opinions.
71% of Americans feel that it is better in most situations to collaborate to solve problems. 29% feel it is better to be self-reliant.
76% of Republicans and 63% of Democrats have confidence that Americans can act civilly in beneficial ways.
Originally published in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune
