Public Distrust
Definition
Public distrust refers to the lack of confidence and faith that people have in government institutions. It is the belief that these institutions are not acting in the best interest of the public or are corrupt.
Analogy
Imagine you're playing a team sport, but you don't trust your teammates to pass the ball to you. You think they might keep it for themselves or make mistakes. This lack of trust affects how you interact with them and can hinder your overall performance as a team.
Related terms
Political Polarization: The division of individuals into extreme ideological groups based on their beliefs and values.
Low Voter Turnout: When a small percentage of eligible voters actually participate in elections.
Media Bias: The inclination or prejudice towards certain political ideologies by media outlets, which may contribute to public distrust.
"Public Distrust" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Practice Questions (4)
What impact might growing public distrust in government institutions have on future administrations' use of bureaucratic agencies?
How might growing public distrust in government impact future U.S Politics?
What is the most common result of public distrust in government during an election year?
How might the growing public distrust affect the efficiency of future governments?
Are you a college student?
Study guides for the entire semester
200k practice questions
Glossary of 50k key terms - memorize important vocab
Resources
© 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.