Mistrust, Cynicism, andAnti-Government Sentiment?

Peter L. Gess, PhDHendrix College

June 23, 2016

Sources: Pew Research Center, National Election Studies, Gallup, ABC/Washington Post, CBS/New York Times, and CNN Polls. For party, generation and race/ethnicity analysis, selected datasets obtained from searches of the iPOLL Databank provided by the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research.

Public Trust in Federal Government (% “Just about always / most of the time”)

Sources: Pew Research Center, National Election Studies, Gallup, ABC/Washington Post, CBS/New York Times, and CNN Polls. For party, generation and race/ethnicity analysis, selected datasets obtained from searches of the iPOLL Databank provided by the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research.

Trust in Federal Government by Party (% “Just about always / most of the time”)

Sources: Pew Research Center, National Election Studies, Gallup, ABC/Washington Post, CBS/New York Times, and CNN Polls. From 1976-2010 the trend line represents a three-survey moving average. For party analysis, selected datasets obtained from searches of the iPOLL Databank provided by the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, University of Connecticut.

Satisfied with the State of the Nation

Sources: Pew Research Center, National Election Studies, Gallup, ABC/Washington Post, CBS/New York Times, and CNN Polls. From 1976-2010 the trend line represents a three-survey moving average. For party analysis, selected datasets obtained from searches of the iPOLL Databank provided by the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, University of Connecticut.

Unemployment

Sources: Pew Research Center, National Election Studies, Gallup, ABC/Washington Post, CBS/New York Times, and CNN Polls. From 1976-2010 the trend line represents a three-survey moving average. For party analysis, selected datasets obtained from searches of the iPOLL Databank provided by the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, University of Connecticut.

Consumer Confidence

Source: Gallup 2012

Source: Berman, Evan M. 1997. “Dealing with Cynical Citizens,” Public Administration Review, Vol. 57, No. 2 (Mar. - Apr.), pp. 105-112

Question 1:Do distrust, cynicism, anti-government sentiment exist in your municipalities? Examples?

Question 2:What may be the causes of cynicism and distrust?

Potential Causes

• Negative Experiences– Taxes, fees, fines

– Waiting in lines

• Positive Experiences?

• Media

• Perceptions– Using power against citizens

– Not feeling a part of government

– Ineffective services and policies

Potential Causes

• Factors outside of control

– General social and economic conditions

– Other governments

• Corruption and other scandals

• “Us versus them” mentality

Source: Berman, Evan M. 1997. “Dealing with Cynical Citizens,” Public Administration Review, Vol. 57, No. 2 (Mar. - Apr.), pp. 105-112

Question 3:What may be some strategies to combat cynicism and distrust?

Strategies: Information

• Inform of changes in rules and programs

• Information about service performance

• Mailings/social media:

– What government does

– Purposes, benefits, results of taxes (budget)

– Meets citizen needs

– Fairly balances different interests

Strategies: Participation

• Public hearings

• Open meetings and records

• Citizen panels for controversial issues

• Surveys to elicit citizen preferences

• Voter referenda or ballots

• Effective social media

Strategies: Reputation

• Seeking awards (national, regional, state)

• Managers make positive statements

• PR to portray positive image

• Respond to negative comments in media

• Demonstrate commitment to ethics

• Inform of high ethical standards

Additional Thoughts and Discussion?