Trust and a sense of citizenship are the pillars of thriving democracies. They are essential to the willingness of citizens to make individual sacrifices in pursuit of collective endeavors that drive a society’s success. Unfortunately, that trust and sense of citizenship have been at historical lows worldwide recently and have been declining even more rapidly in Latin America … [Read more...] about Testing the Impact of Social Media on Trust
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What the Pandemic Revealed about the Role of Trust in Public Sector Performance
As the COVID-19 pandemic struck, public sector employees were on the front line, crucial to policies to limit the contagion and alleviate its economic effects. Collaboration—and hence trust—was essential. Whether working in public health agencies or in communications roles, public sector employees had to work together to implement decisions made at the political level. They had … [Read more...] about What the Pandemic Revealed about the Role of Trust in Public Sector Performance
To Fight Crime, Increase Trust
Although only 9% of the world’s population lives in Latin America and the Caribbean, the region accounts for a third of the world’s homicides. The cost of crime and violence in our region is very high: crime takes large numbers of lives, affects people’s safety and welfare, and hampers economic development. As evidence of this, one out of three people in the region say crime is … [Read more...] about To Fight Crime, Increase Trust
How Perceptions of Inequality Affect Trust in Latin America and the Caribbean
Lack of trust between individuals and between individuals and institutions is a chronic problem in Latin America and Caribbean and often linked to inequality. After all, in a region that ranks among the most unequal in the world, it is natural to distrust political elites who seem to coopt government and ensure that policies favor the wealthy over the poor. Moreover, when … [Read more...] about How Perceptions of Inequality Affect Trust in Latin America and the Caribbean
The Elusive Quest for Growth: The Role of Trust
As Latin America and the Caribbean confronts one of the most severe economic downturns in its history, policymakers are looking ahead to what they must do in terms of fiscal and monetary policies to restore growth once the Covid-19 crisis passes. But one element that desperately needs more attention is the deep and chronic lack of trust in the region between citizens and … [Read more...] about The Elusive Quest for Growth: The Role of Trust