Fiveable
Fiveable

Public Distrust

Definition

Public distrust refers to skepticism or lack of confidence that individuals or communities may have towards government agencies, corporations, or institutions due to perceived dishonesty, incompetence, or lack of transparency.

Analogy

Think about how you might feel if your best friend constantly broke promises or lied to you. Over time, you would start losing trust in them and become skeptical about anything they say. Similarly, when people perceive repeated dishonesty or lack of transparency from those in power positions like governments or corporations, public distrust can arise.

Related terms

Transparency: Transparency refers to openness and accountability in decision-making processes by providing clear information and access to relevant data.

Whistleblower: A whistleblower is an individual who exposes wrongdoing or illegal activities within an organization, often at great personal risk, in order to bring attention to the issue and promote accountability.

Misinformation: Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is spread unintentionally or deliberately, leading to confusion and potentially influencing public opinion.

"Public Distrust" appears in:

Subjects (1)



© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.


© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.