Governments underestimate the impact of their increasing distrust of citizens on citizens’ trust/distrust in government and democracy. Increasingly distrusting policies and behaviour towards (groups of) citizens are leading to more active distrust by citizens. Citizen support for government and democratic systems hinges on the absence of active distrust. It is therefore important that public leaders and civil servants reflect on their deeply held beliefs that lead to this distrust in policy making and guide their behaviour in the implementation of public policies.
In deze Engelstalige blogserie ga ik in het effect van wantrouwen van de overheid in haar burgers op het vertrouwen van burgers in de overheid. Het eerste blog vind je hier.