Political Trust, Individual‐level Characteristics and Institutional Performance: Evidence from Finland, 2004–13

Abstract

Several scholars agree that low political trust has fundamental negative implications for society at large. This study tests the power of institutional performance theory in explaining the differences between individuals in political trust (cross-sectional) and fluctuations of political trust over time (longitudinal). Indeed, the dominant scholarly debate has concerned whether political trust is stable and dependent of endogenous factors such as political socialization and social trust, or whether it is exogenous (i.e., in constant fluctuation due to later experiences with institutions and the outputs they produce). In terms of cross-sectional differences, the aim is to assess the relative impact institutional performance on political trust of a citizen.As regards the longitudinal approach, political trust varies over time and from an explanatory perspective it is important also to understand how well the institutional performance theory predicts over-time variation of political trust. The study employs repeated European Social Survey data for Finland between 2004 and 2013. The results show, first and foremost, the strong impact of evaluations of institutional performance on political trust: satisfaction with government and economy explains differences both between individuals and over time. Social trust and welfare state performance are also strong predictors, but they explain differences only at the individual level and do not predict over-time variations.

Downbound spiral? Economic grievances, perceived social protection and political distrust

“…As for services/protection, we go beyond a small number of oft-used European Social Survey items (e.g. Kestilä-Kekkonen and Söderlund 2016;Kumlin 2007;Lühiste 2014) and consider a wider range of perceived welfare state performance aspects.…”

Losers’ Consent in Changing Welfare States: Output Dissatisfaction, Experienced Voice and Political Distrust

“…A more recent literature suggests that citizens also consider welfare state-related policy outputs, outcomes and performance evaluations (e.g. Haugsgjerd, 2018;Kestilä-Kekkonen & Söderlund, 2016;Lühiste, 2014). A review chapter (Kumlin and Haugsgjerd, 2017) illustrates how macro-variables related to inequality and welfare generosity, as well as individual assessments of services, affect political trust.…”

Homeland Political Trust Among Emigrants: The Case of Finland-Swedes

“…Finally, the article provides a methodological contribution to the study of political trust among emigrants. The emigrants from wealthy welfare states, such as Finland, can be assumed on average to be more educated and have higher income than resident citizens (see e.g., Kepsu and Henriksson, 2019). Research has shown these socio-economic factors to be related to higher social and political trust (Inglehart, 1999), although the relation can be complex, as for instance between education and political trust (Norris, 2011).…”