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Mistrust growing among Americans, poll finds
You might try to live by the old adage, "love thy neighbor," but do you trust him? According to a new AP-GfK poll, trust among Americans is waning to record low levels.
You might try to live by the old adage, "love thy neighbor," but do you trust him? According to a new AP-GfK poll, trust among Americans is waning to record low levels. Now only one-third of Americans think most people can be trusted, down from 50 percent in 1972.
The trend is troubling to social scientists, who say "social trust" helps make a cooperative and productive society. On the other hand, they say mistrust breeds corruption and leads to a less open society.
What's behind our growing mistrust in one another? Can this downward trend be reversed? How does technology and income inequality factor into this decline?
Guest:
Jennifer Agiesta, Director of Polling for the Associated Press