When distrust is misplaced, social and democratic bonds weaken

TL;DR

The paper discusses how misplaced distrust harms social and democratic relationships by causing people to reject valid authorities or experts.

Contribution

The novelty lies in emphasizing the moral and democratic consequences of misplaced distrust fueled by prejudice or misinformation.

Findings

Misplaced distrust causes citizens to dismiss legitimate leaders or experts.

Such distrust is often driven by prejudice, misinformation, or political rhetoric.

This phenomenon weakens social and democratic bonds.

Abstract

Misplaced distrust leads citizens to dismiss legitimate leaders, experts, or groups. This distrust may be fueled by prejudice or misinformation, and political rhetoric. This comment highlights the moral and democratic consequences of misplaced distrust.

In this Comment, the authors argue that misplaced distrust leads citizens to dismiss legitimate leaders, experts, or groups. This distrust may be fueled by prejudice or misinformation, and political rhetoric and has moral and democratic consequences.