Source -> https://pluralofyou.org/trust-among-americans-not-over-yet/

Americans are suffering more than ever from a lack of trust in their fellow humans. Those are findings from the latest General Social Survey, a sociological survey that has tracked changes in American society since 1972. Trust is crucial for a society because people are unwilling or unable to put their faith in one another without it.

According to the GSS, 25.3 percent of respondents in 2022—representing 1 in 4 Americans—said that “most people can be trusted”. This is down from 46.8 percent of respondents in 1972. In a previous survey known as the DDB Needham Life Style Survey, Americans’ trust peaked in 1967–1968, when 56% of survey respondents agreed that “most people can be trusted.” You can see the trends between 1972 and 2022 below.

Very interesting graphs within that article. It shows how much damage capitalism has done to Burgerland’s citizens in terms atomization and alienation.

  • rainpizza@lemmygrad.mlOP
    3·
    30 days ago

    In other words, is this change in sentiment tied to changing real-world conditions?

    From my perspective, unless you meant by real-world conditions as economic or material, this is a no.

    After looking at what the author used to explain the decline of public trust which mentions the following: “Race, however, is the most significant factor I’ve found that correlates with the decline”, he doesn’t mentions the material conditions behind why race is an important factor. He also expands this in the following excerpt:

    Much has been written about race and trust in the United States. The consensus on trust among non-Whites cites systemic racism, racial discrimination, neighborhood circumstances, and economic inequality as the reasons why they are less trusting than Whites. There is less consensus on the decline of trust among Whites, though leading theories draw in part from a supposed White backlash to America’s growing diversity and the so-called “end of White Christian America”.

    If this decline of generalized trust continues, Americans—and White Americans in particular—will become even more alienated, isolated, and paranoid of their fellow residents. They will break into smaller and smaller groups to find power and meaning, choosing to particularize their trust in the process. These groups will be less willing to compromise or even communicate with one another, often resorting to anger or violence to deliver their messages.