
Citizens losing faith in their government is a growing issue in many countries. In the US, for example, only 20% of adults say they trust the government to do the right thing, and in 2023, confidence in the presidency and Supreme Court fell by 15 and 11 percentage points, respectively. This issue is not unique to the US, however, as people in other countries such as China and Russia are also losing faith in their governments. So, what happens when citizens lose faith in their government? This can lead to a variety of outcomes, from increased political activism and reform to widespread apathy and exit.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Citizens' trust in government | Declining |
Reasons for decline in trust | Poor government performance, government doing too much or too little, corruption, influence of corporations on political process, partisan media, etc. |
Impact of low trust | Perceived as making it harder to solve country's problems, linked to other major issues such as partisan paralysis, influence of lobbyists, income inequality, etc. |
Solutions to improve trust | More transparency and disclosure from the government, term limits, restrictions on money in politics, better political leadership, local communities as laboratories for trust-building |
What You'll Learn
- Citizens may choose to exit rather than voice their concerns
- Political opposition may die as a result of citizens choosing to leave
- Citizens may become more ignorant of how the government functions
- Citizens may lose faith in other societal institutions
- Citizens may feel that their government is doing too much or too little
Citizens may choose to exit rather than voice their concerns
When citizens lose faith in their government, they may choose to exit rather than voice their concerns. This can take the form of physically leaving the country or simply withdrawing their participation in civic life. In the context of Russia, for example, political scientist Ivan Krastev argues that the "user-friendly" character of Vladimir Putin's authoritarian regime encourages those who dislike it the most and have the most capacity to resist, to leave the country. This choice of exit over voice results in the death of political opposition, as those who could potentially drive change are no longer present to demand it.
The option to exit rather than voice is particularly salient in the age of mass travel, open borders, and instant communication. Citizens who are unhappy with their government can now more easily choose to emigrate, and this option may be especially appealing to those with the financial means and international connections to facilitate such a move. This can result in a "brain drain," where a country loses some of its most talented and educated citizens, potentially hindering its ability to address the issues that led to the loss of faith in the government in the first place.
The choice between exit and voice is also influenced by the level of trust citizens have in their government's willingness and ability to address their concerns. If citizens believe that their government is unresponsive or incapable of enacting meaningful change, they may feel that their only option is to exit, either by physically leaving or by disengaging from the political process. This can create a vicious cycle, as low levels of trust and political participation further erode the government's capacity to govern effectively.
Additionally, the choice between exit and voice is shaped by cultural and historical factors. For example, in the United States, there is a long tradition of mistrusting the government, and the country's history of immigration means that many Americans are descendants of those who chose to exit their home countries rather than try to reform them. This cultural predisposition towards exit may influence how Americans respond to a loss of faith in their government today.
Finally, the option to exit can be limited by factors such as economic status, family responsibilities, or a lack of alternative options. Citizens who are unable or unwilling to leave may instead choose to voice their concerns through political opposition, protest, or other forms of civic engagement. However, if a significant portion of a country's population does choose to exit, it can have a significant impact on the social, political, and economic fabric of the nation.
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Political opposition may die as a result of citizens choosing to leave
Krastev argues that the "user-friendly" character of Putin's authoritarianism encourages those who dislike the regime and have the most capacity to resist it to leave the country. By choosing exit over voice, the political opposition dies as a result. Krastev writes, "Leaving the country in which they live is easier than reforming it."
This dynamic stands in contrast to China's brand of authoritarianism, which involves locking up dissidents and censoring the internet rather than allowing them to leave.
The idea of the trade-off between exit and voice is particularly relevant in the context of the Tea Party movement in the United States. The engaged citizens who participate in this movement have chosen voice over exit or apathy, advocating for a reduction in the role of government rather than attempting to reform it.
In conclusion, the choice of citizens to leave a country rather than remain and oppose an authoritarian regime can lead to the death of political opposition. This dynamic has been observed in Russia under Vladimir Putin, where the relatively porous nature of the dictatorship has facilitated the exit of dissidents.
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Citizens may become more ignorant of how the government functions
When citizens lose faith in their government, they may become more ignorant of how the government functions. This can manifest in a few ways. Firstly, citizens may become less informed about the different branches of government and how they interact with each other. For example, in the United States, it was found that around 50% of citizens could not name the three branches of their government. This lack of basic knowledge about the functioning of government can be detrimental to a country's political health.
Secondly, the loss of faith in government can lead to a decrease in intelligent debate and discussion among citizens. Partisan media often drowns out nuanced discussion, and with the rise of social media, citizens may find themselves in echo chambers that reinforce their existing beliefs without exposing them to other perspectives. This can lead to a further decline in public trust and a more polarised citizenry.
Additionally, when citizens lose faith in their government, they may become less engaged in the political process. This can be due to feelings of disillusionment, cynicism, or a sense that their participation will not make a difference. As a result, they may choose to exit the political process rather than try to reform it. This can lead to a decline in voter turnout, participation in political activism, and overall civic engagement.
Furthermore, the loss of faith in government can lead to a breakdown in the social contract between citizens and their government. Citizens may feel that their government is no longer responsive to their needs and interests, which can lead to a sense of alienation and disengagement from the political process. This can be particularly pronounced among marginalised communities, who may already feel underrepresented and neglected by their government.
Lastly, citizens' loss of faith in government can impact their trust in other institutions as well. For example, they may lose faith in the media, the education system, the healthcare system, or the economic system. This can lead to a general sense of cynicism and distrust, making it harder to solve societal problems that require collective action and trust.
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Citizens may lose faith in other societal institutions
When citizens lose faith in their government, it can have a knock-on effect on other societal institutions. This is because the government is often seen as a cornerstone of a functioning society, and when trust in that cornerstone erodes, it can lead to a broader breakdown in confidence across other institutions.
In the United States, for example, a decline in public trust in the federal government has coincided with decreasing faith in other institutions such as the presidency, the Supreme Court, public schools, the police, and the criminal justice system. This trend is not limited to America; in 2011, citizens around the world were losing faith in their governments, and this was accompanied by a decline in trust in other institutions.
The reasons for this loss of faith can vary, but they often include concerns about government performance, the perception that the government is doing too much or too little, corruption, and the influence of corporations and special interests on political processes. When citizens lose faith in their government, they may also become more skeptical of other institutions that are seen as closely tied to the government, such as the media, banks, and large technology companies.
Additionally, the loss of faith in government and other institutions can have significant implications for society. It can make it harder to solve societal problems, as trust is essential for effective collaboration and collective action. It can also lead to a sense of disillusionment and disengagement among citizens, who may feel that their voices are not being heard or that their interests are not being served by those in power. Ultimately, a pervasive lack of trust in societal institutions can contribute to social instability and undermine the foundations of a healthy democracy.
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Citizens may feel that their government is doing too much or too little
The feeling that the government is doing too much can be attributed to the rapidly expanding role of the federal government, which has led to a decline in its reputation because all democratic governments are inherently political and inefficient. Today, most Americans think their government has become too powerful. This was also reflected in the rise of the Tea Party, whose engaged citizens were trying to get rid of the government, rather than reform it.
On the other hand, the feeling that the government is doing too little can be attributed to the government's poor performance in addressing societal issues. About 39% of Americans who believe that low trust in the government makes it harder to solve the country's problems cite domestic concerns such as immigration and border issues, healthcare, racism, and gun violence issues. Additionally, 70% of Americans believe that citizens' low trust in each other also makes it harder to solve problems.
The decline in trust in the government can also be attributed to a lack of transparency and the influence of money in politics. About two-thirds of Americans believe that the federal government intentionally withholds important information from the public, and 61% think that the news media ignores important stories. Furthermore, concerns have been raised about how money has corrupted the political process and how corporations control it.
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Frequently asked questions
When citizens lose faith in their government, it can lead to a range of consequences, from political apathy to social unrest. People may become disengaged from the political process, choosing to exit rather than voice their concerns. This can result in declining voter turnout and civic participation, making it challenging for governments to govern effectively.
There are various factors contributing to a loss of faith in the government, including poor leadership, government's expanding role, rising public ignorance of its functions, and increasing partisanship. Additionally, people may perceive the government as corrupt or influenced by corporations and special interests.
Low trust in the government can make it harder to address the country's problems. Citizens may become cynical and believe that their voices are not being heard or represented. This can lead to social fragmentation and a decline in social cohesion.
Low trust in specific government institutions, such as the presidency, the Supreme Court, or Congress, can have significant implications for governance. It can lead to a lack of confidence in the leadership and the decision-making process, hindering the government's ability to implement policies and reforms effectively.
Yes, it is possible to improve public trust in the government. Increasing transparency, implementing political reforms, and improving political leadership can help rebuild trust. Additionally, addressing societal issues, such as interpersonal trust and local community engagement, can contribute to restoring faith in the government and fellow citizens.