Editorial: Introduction to a Special Issue on Political Trust

Questions about political trust have been thrust centre-stage in recent decades as scholars in political science and cognate disciplines have been worried by its gradual yet steady decline in many established democracies. At the same time, recent developments such as the resurgence of populism, the challenges posed by climate change, and crises such as the coronavirus pandemic, have forced us to confront the need for cooperation between citizens and governments and, in turn, the vital role of trust in facilitating such cooperative links. In this context, the purpose of this Research Topic is to bring together a collection of works pushing the boundaries of thought on political trust. This introductory essay outlines each of the contributions and the ways in which they help us better understand trust by answering three related questions: 1. How should we conceive of trust and distrust in politics, and are there any other conditions that need identification and measurement? 2. What are the key factors contributing to citizens’ trust judgments? 3. What are the consequences of trust for effective governance?