Is it a lack of trust in the government the "problem", or is it a lack of trustworthynes of the government that is the problem? Saying it's a lack of trust implies the problem rests with the people (who just aren't trusting enough).
In truth it is the lack of trustworthynes of the government which is the problem.
I'm with you, although I think these are related and reinforcing. When a government is trustworthy (to the extent such a thing is possible), it follows logically although not always actually that trust in government would be higher. A country like Japan is an example, where things tend to function and people believe in the government's ability to solve problems. Where governments regularly fail to solve everyday problems, people can be forgiven for having less faith in their government's abilities.
That said, I found it fascinating that authoritarian regimes like China regularly report higher civilian trust in institutions and government than citizens in democracies tend to. My theory is that people are afraid to be honest in repressive countries, rather than that they genuinely trust authoritarian regimes more.
I agree, trust in the government and trustworthiness of the government are correlated. The more trustworthy the government is the more trust people have in the government. The converse is also true. The less trustworthy the government is the less trust there is in that government. This is as it should be.
However, some people always believe in their heart of hearts that government is inherently good and should be trusted. Even if a few criminals or narcissistic sociopaths get into positions of power the government and establishment media should still be trusted.
People who see the government as some sort of Mr. Rogers neighborhood, tend to believe the government no matter what. As the lies of government become more outrageous and obviously untrue, people like this tend to become a little delusional. However they can be forgiven for this shortcoming because their heart is in the right place, even if their trust is misplaced.
In reality, most governments are much more like the Game of Thrones than Mr. Rogers Neighborhood imo.
Seriously though, I would agree it seems the presumption that government is more or less a benign or positive enterprise given to failings is more common than the attitude that government is inherently bad and must be constrained and regulated into doing what it is needed for without being given too free a hand to run amok.
So the irony is that countries where people vocalise their distrust for government are often much freer in practice than countries where people, at least publicly, say they trust the system.
Great points. It is curious how the most corrupt governments are often trusted the most. Is it because the corrupt governments are in the business of psychological manipulation of the populace, or is the unfounded trust the people have in the establishment the reason why the government is corrupt?
If the population distrusted the government more, would reform of the government be more likely, or would the government corruption be prevented in the first place?
I see it more as being related to fear and power. Countries where people report high trust in governed despite governments being tyrannical are, I would assume, likely to be afraid of the consequences of answering such a poll honestly. So ironically, people reporting distrust or even open disgust with their government is a reassuring sign of a relatively open society.
One thing we could do that could have a huge impact on everything is institute single payer Medicare for All. Consider writing an article on what this would mean for workers, families, small businesses, and the economy.
The American healthcare conundrum is certainly something countries the world over marvel at. I'm sure if anyone could make a fist of assessing a substantive solution, it would be Michael.
Insurance companies aren’t the government. Though they do rent it through lobbying and campaign contributions.
Our government is for sale to the highest bidders. As a result the tax system favors wealthy individuals and corporations.As long as this situation persists, nothing of substance will change for workers.
Thank you so much for listening. Yes, Michael's way of unpacking this really helps to contextualise the disconnect between how people are experiencing their lives and how they are being told their lives are.
Is it a lack of trust in the government the "problem", or is it a lack of trustworthynes of the government that is the problem? Saying it's a lack of trust implies the problem rests with the people (who just aren't trusting enough).
In truth it is the lack of trustworthynes of the government which is the problem.
I'm with you, although I think these are related and reinforcing. When a government is trustworthy (to the extent such a thing is possible), it follows logically although not always actually that trust in government would be higher. A country like Japan is an example, where things tend to function and people believe in the government's ability to solve problems. Where governments regularly fail to solve everyday problems, people can be forgiven for having less faith in their government's abilities.
That said, I found it fascinating that authoritarian regimes like China regularly report higher civilian trust in institutions and government than citizens in democracies tend to. My theory is that people are afraid to be honest in repressive countries, rather than that they genuinely trust authoritarian regimes more.
I agree, trust in the government and trustworthiness of the government are correlated. The more trustworthy the government is the more trust people have in the government. The converse is also true. The less trustworthy the government is the less trust there is in that government. This is as it should be.
However, some people always believe in their heart of hearts that government is inherently good and should be trusted. Even if a few criminals or narcissistic sociopaths get into positions of power the government and establishment media should still be trusted.
People who see the government as some sort of Mr. Rogers neighborhood, tend to believe the government no matter what. As the lies of government become more outrageous and obviously untrue, people like this tend to become a little delusional. However they can be forgiven for this shortcoming because their heart is in the right place, even if their trust is misplaced.
In reality, most governments are much more like the Game of Thrones than Mr. Rogers Neighborhood imo.
A 'Game of Rogers' spectrum, if you will ;)
Seriously though, I would agree it seems the presumption that government is more or less a benign or positive enterprise given to failings is more common than the attitude that government is inherently bad and must be constrained and regulated into doing what it is needed for without being given too free a hand to run amok.
However, something I found quite shocking (although not altogether surprising) is that an untrustworthy government is not necessarily untrusted by its own citizens (and the opposite is true). According to the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer, China has consistent chart-topping trust in government across the board, while Japan is often dead last. Link: https://www.edelman.com/sites/g/files/aatuss191/files/2025-01/2025%20Edelman%20Trust%20Barometer%20Global%20Report_01.23.25.pdf
So the irony is that countries where people vocalise their distrust for government are often much freer in practice than countries where people, at least publicly, say they trust the system.
If only things were as they should be...
Great points. It is curious how the most corrupt governments are often trusted the most. Is it because the corrupt governments are in the business of psychological manipulation of the populace, or is the unfounded trust the people have in the establishment the reason why the government is corrupt?
If the population distrusted the government more, would reform of the government be more likely, or would the government corruption be prevented in the first place?
I see it more as being related to fear and power. Countries where people report high trust in governed despite governments being tyrannical are, I would assume, likely to be afraid of the consequences of answering such a poll honestly. So ironically, people reporting distrust or even open disgust with their government is a reassuring sign of a relatively open society.
One thing we could do that could have a huge impact on everything is institute single payer Medicare for All. Consider writing an article on what this would mean for workers, families, small businesses, and the economy.
The American healthcare conundrum is certainly something countries the world over marvel at. I'm sure if anyone could make a fist of assessing a substantive solution, it would be Michael.
Mr Green is always and good and interesting guest.
Insurance companies aren’t the government. Though they do rent it through lobbying and campaign contributions.
Our government is for sale to the highest bidders. As a result the tax system favors wealthy individuals and corporations.As long as this situation persists, nothing of substance will change for workers.
Have you seen this today?
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/upshot/obamacare-subsidies-financial-cliff.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
Thank you so much for listening. Yes, Michael's way of unpacking this really helps to contextualise the disconnect between how people are experiencing their lives and how they are being told their lives are.