In person icon Relational Dimensions of Trust in European Democracies

Abstract

This panel presents qualitative findings from the TRUEDEM project, a multinational research initiative exploring political trust in European democracies. Focusing on interactions between citizens, political elites, and civil society organizations, the panel examines how trust is constructed, negotiated, and challenged within diverse political contexts. Through qualitative methodologies such as focus groups, expert interviews, and civil society consultations, the TRUEDEM project provides a rich, relational understanding of political trust and its role in contemporary governance. The panel investigates key themes, including the alignment and misalignment of expectations between citizens and political elites, the framing of trust in political discourse, and the perspectives of civil society organizations on trust dynamics. Case studies from France, Austria, and Greece reveal how cultural, institutional, and contextual factors shape trust-building processes and highlight the relational nature of trust in democratic systems. By analyzing trust across local, national, and European levels, the panel addresses pressing challenges such as political polarization, declining institutional trust, and democratic backsliding. It explores strategies to enhance trustworthiness through participatory governance, institutional reforms, and transparency mechanisms. This panel provides critical insights into the complexities of political trust and contributes to understanding how qualitative methodologies can illuminate the relational dynamics that underpin trust in democratic institutions. The findings offer recommendations for strengthening trust and enhancing democratic resilience in Europe.

Title	Details
Fit and Misfit in the Trust Relationship: How Political Elites’ and Citizens’ Respective Perceptions of the Good Citizens and the Good Leaders Affect Political Trust. The Case of France.	View Paper Details
Trust as a Political “Currency”. How Political Elites and Representatives of CSOs Describe the State of Political Trust and its Changes. The Case of Austria.	View Paper Details
From Posts to Perceptions: Social Media and Political Trustworthiness	View Paper Details
Dynamics of Political (Dis)Trust: A Qualitative Exploration of Public Attitudes in Greece	View Paper Details
Trust in Political Institutions Through the Lens of Politicians: the Case of the Czech Republic	View Paper Details
Shaping Trust: The Drivers of Political System and Institutional Credibility in Poland	View Paper Details