Civic Trust Inspired

Full description

This outcome is about the trust that people have towards governments (local, state and federal) institutions and systems that serve and contribute to the community and the trust in other members of the community to operate in a manner that benefits the community. These include the judiciary, the police, and civil authorities. In order to trust authorities, citizens must be confident that civic bodies operate transparently, fairly, honestly, in the best interests of the people they serve. The Community must also be confident that they can participate in governance such as devoting time to advance an idea or movement or challenging a wrong.

Theory underpinning this outcome

Confidence in the institutions of governance is linked to the public perception of institutional legitimacy (Tyler, 2006; Tyler and Fagan, 2008; Campagna, Caperna and Montalto, 2020) defined as “the belief that authorities, institutions and social arrangements are appropriate, proper and just” (Tyler, 2006 p376). Civic engagement research indicates that trust is important for civic involvement between citizens and with institutions (Kwak et al 2004). A lack or loss of trust can result in the loss of money (through non-payment of taxes), damaged reputation and in serious instances, protest for change (Warren, Noor and Jaafar, 2014). Conversely, Trust in institutions is considered an important factor in the cooperation that is needed in the civic project (Warren, Noor & Jaafar, 2014).

Having trust in public institutions and political systems is an important factor in people’s active involvement in civic and social concerns. For example, young people are more inclined to devote their time to the advancement of a movement, issue, or political party if they have trust in government and institutions (including law enforcement) (Kelly, 2006). Communities with high levels of civic trust are more able to build support for collective action for public good (Potter and Sadin, 2019) indicating that having trust in government leads to communities that show concern for the well-being of all rather than the few (Warren, 1999).

Trust in governing bodies is more likely to occur in communities where democratic principles such as freedom of speech, accountability, transparency, and political participation (Tyler and Fagan, 2008). Citizens who are able to participate in decision-making processes and governance are more likely to have confidence in institutions of governance (Feitag, 2006).

Closely linked to trust in governance is the idea of social trust. Social trust reduces anonymity and suspicion among neighbours which leads to involvement in community affairs (Kwak et al. 2004) and is in turn linked to political involvement, voting and trust in government (Kelly, 2009). Young people who are involved in community building, social action or political service are more likely to show trust in others and the government (Kelley, 2009). Trust in others in the community who one doesn’t know and is important as it enables us to live the lives we wish such as pursuing hobbies, cultural and religious practices without fear of harm. For example, a person having such trust will feel safe using public transport or feel secure that people or institutions will not use personal information against them (Preston-Roedder 2017).

Evidence that this outcome occurs

Offering opportunity to work and coordinate with organisations and government bodies to achieve goals can result in a greater sense of trust in civic organisations. A study of a community arts organisation that received a community arts grants found that in coordinating their efforts to achieve their goals, individuals learnt how to engage with the bureaucracy and developed relationships with municipal and regional government. (Guetkow, 2002)

People involved in cultural activities and groups such as preservation of traditional, regional, national, or ethnic culture, literary, music and arts activities reported higher levels of generalised trust, political trust and efficacy. (Stolle and Rochon 1996)

Arts participation can change negative perceptions of local authorities and organisations by positively impacting on local image and identity and affirming marginal groups. (Matarasso, 2000)