Loss of confidence in government leaders

The legitimacy of a government leader depends on the trust invested by the public. This trust in turn depends on the values of the society and the leader's perceived ability to live up to these values. When this trust is violated, or when values change, the public becomes increasingly alienated from politicians.

In the USA a major shift occurred with the discovery that President Nixon had lied about Watergate. In Japan such a shift occurred with recognition of Prime Minister Takeshita's involvement in the Recruit shares scandal. In Europe in 1993 public opinion polls indicate that citizens are rapidly losing faith in their governments, notably in the UK, in Spain, in Germany, in France, and in Italy. A study in the USA in 1992 found that 70% of the population never trusted the government to do what was right or trusted it only on occasion.

1. Undermined citizen confidence
2. Loss of leadership credibility
3. Loss of institutional credibility
4. Distrust
5. Credibility gap

1. Distrusted local politicians

1. Suspicion of bureaucracy
2. Reluctance to join in community action
3. Lack of cooperation with officialdom
4. Fear of officialdom
5. Extremist voluntary movements
6. Erosion of public trust
7. Contempt for democratic processes
8. Acceptance of violence

1. Unpopular governments
2. Unethical practices of government leaders
3. Uncaring politicians
4. Sex scandals
5. Political scandal
6. Mediocrity of government leaders
7. Lying
8. Lack of information
9. Institutional lying
10. Inflexible leadership
11. Governmental incompetence
12. Failure of government to apologize for errors
13. Economic inflation
14. Deceptive political proposals
15. Deception by government
16. Broken government promises
17. Avoidance of legal obligations by politicians
18. Abusive national leadership
19. Abusive distribution of political patronage

1. Uncritical acceptance of authority

1. Loss of respect
2. Lack of self-confidence

1. Trusting governments
2. Taking advantage of voter disillusionment
3. Showing leadership in international politics
4. Revitalizing government
5. Improving popularity of government leaders
6. Distrusting government
7. Discrediting untrustworthy politicians
8. Building confidence

1. Unpopularity
2. Disenchantment
3. Disillusionment
4. Distrust
5. Untrustworthiness
6. Loss
7. Pervasive