The Future of Trust and Values in Political Science

Abstract

This panel welcomes contributions of both methodological and substantive character investigating trust and values. Particularly; how can the field of political science best grasp issues related to attitudes, opinions, culture, and prejudice now and in the future, and contribute to greater knowledge? Two of the hottest issues in political science seem to be the renewed attention to culture as a factor in politics. A new focus on religion and the resurgence of religion as one of the central forces driving individuals, groups, and states, has very much changed the political science agenda over the last few years. The second force that has been widely debated has been so called ‘globalization’, as term which has been known to include a wide array of different trends and developments. The new interconnection between far-flung societies associated with globalization could potentially lead to significant changes for all parties involved. How does and will this influence values and identities? Can we talk about a global village, or is this a theoretical overstretch? Does the claimed resurgence of religion influence the level of trust in society, and the values and opinion that people hold? Are we more open to strangers and less prejudiced towards the ‘other’ as a result of interconnectedness, or is this but a myth? Are cultural conflicts more widespread or more difficult to solve now than previously, or does the theory of clash of civilizations hold more truth? Contributions that can suggest new and better ways of dealing with issues of flux and stability in trust and values, and investigate issues related to changing opinions, modernization and culture in world politics are encouraged.

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