Distrust of government may follow rather than cause civic disengagement

Evidence

The connection between high social capital and effective government performance begs an obvious question: Is there a similar link between declining social capital and declining trust in government? Is there a connection between our democratic discontent and civic disengagement? It is commonly assumed that cynicism toward government has caused our disengagement from politics, but the converse is just as likely: that we are disaffected because as we and our neighbors have dropped out, the real performance of government has suffered. As Pogo said, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” — Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone The Collapse and Revival…, 1215

Categorization

• DEEPTHINKING: A feedback-loop insight that reframes the standard direction of causality in democratic disaffection; has only grown more relevant with rising institutional distrust.
• XREF: connects to: Divorce alone does not cause civic disengagement outside religious activity — Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone The Collapse and Revival…, 962; Declining trust follows from civic withdrawal, not just causes it — Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone The Collapse and Revival…, 1215; Declining trust in government reflects trustworthiness, not citizen psychology — Russell Hardin, Trust and Trustworthiness, 732 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Declining trust in government reflects trustworthiness, not citizen psychology #expands (0.82) — Russell Hardin, Trust and Trustworthiness, 732