#LSEFestival: Trust in Freefall - Why Global Faith in Politics Is Crumbling

A deep dive into the causes of widespread distrust in political and media systems across the globe

"Trust Under Fire: Why Democracy is Feeling the Heat"

Neil Lee, an LSE professor of economic geography, opened the discussion by spotlighting one of the most pressing global issues—trust. Political trust is at its lowest, with the latest British Social Attitudes survey showing an unprecedented decline. However, it's not just the UK facing this crisis; trust in politics, media, and institutions is crumbling worldwide. As the UK prepares for a fast-approaching election, Lee and a panel of experts will explore whether this fall in trust really matters, what’s driving it, and if there's any way to rebuild it.

The Lowdown

• Trust in politics has hit rock-bottom, with the British Social Attitudes survey reporting the lowest levels ever recorded.

• Declining trust isn’t just a UK issue—there's a global erosion of faith in political institutions, media, and democracy.

• The discussion will dive into why trust is failing and if democracy can recover from this crisis.

"Trust in Politics Is at Its Lowest Point Ever"

Trust in politics has collapsed, with the latest data showing the UK at its worst level of political confidence. According to the British Social Attitudes survey, political trust is at historic lows. Globally, a similar distrust is surfacing as media and institutions face increasing skepticism.

• Political distrust reflects a worldwide trend, not just a British phenomenon.

• Political scandals and failures in delivering on promises drive this erosion of trust.

"Trust in politics was at its lowest point ever." — Neil Lee

"Is the Problem Really Trust—or Deference?"

The panel debated whether the decline in trust is actually a healthy correction—a rejection of outdated, blind deference to institutions. Skepticism might not be a problem in itself but could be a necessary democratic check on power.

• A historical reliance on institutional trust may have been built on unfounded deference.

• Democratic societies may need a balance between healthy skepticism and belief in foundational institutions.

"Is trust in institutions the problem—or are we just challenging old deference?" — Raphael Behr

"Are People Really This Distrustful?"

Charlie Beckett brought a fresh angle: perhaps the obsession with trust surveys is misleading. People may express distrust in media or politics, but still engage heavily with them—whether by paying for news or participating in democratic elections.

• A reliance on surveys may overemphasize the level of distrust.

• The public consumes more journalism and participates in political life despite these reported trust crises.

"We shouldn't keep using 'plummeting trust' as the default narrative—it distracts from real issues." — Charlie Beckett

"Is Our Democracy Under Threat from Distrust?"

Ros Taylor emphasized that while interpersonal trust (trust in individuals) is important, institutional trust is critical for democratic functioning. If key institutions like the NHS, courts, or government fail to deliver, people turn to charismatic leaders, often to dangerous effect.

• Democratic erosion begins when institutions lose public trust.

• When trust in government fails, the risk of populist, anti-institutional leadership grows.

"If you can't trust institutions, you turn to individuals—and that can be dangerous." — Ros Taylor

Is Polarization the Real Issue?

The term "polarization" is often seen as a negative, but the panel challenges this notion, arguing that division isn't necessarily bad. Instead, healthy disagreement and debate can drive progress. However, unchecked polarization, especially when fueled by misinformation or conspiracy theories, could spiral into a breakdown of civil discourse.

Quickfire Q&A

Q: Can transparency and citizen participation restore trust?

Ros Taylor: Transparency and involving citizens in policy discussions can improve trust, but only if institutions deliver on their promises. It's not enough to simply be transparent if the system itself is failing.

Q: Are we too focused on polarization?

Charlie Beckett: Yes. Plurality and disagreement are part of a healthy democracy. Talking about polarization as a purely negative force ignores the role conflict plays in driving change.

What's Next?

As political scandals unfold and institutions struggle to meet public expectations, the panel leaves the audience with pressing questions: Can trust be restored, or is skepticism the new normal? Can democratic systems survive in an age of rampant distrust and division?