Political Trust and Support for Democracy in Europe

Political trust plays a critical role in shaping citizens' attitudes toward democracy, particularly in Europe, where democratic systems face both internal and external challenges. Political trust, defined as citizens' confidence in political institutions such as governments, parliaments, and the judiciary, serves as a cornerstone for the legitimacy and stability of democratic systems. This paper examines the relationship between political trust and support for democracy, drawing on the TRUEDEM survey data. Political trust is conceptualized along two dimensions: institutional trust, referring to citizens’ confidence in formal institutions like parliaments, governments, and courts, and interpersonal political trust, reflecting trust in political leaders and elites. Support for democracy is analyzed across two levels: diffuse support, representing commitment to democratic principles and ideals, and specific support, reflecting satisfaction with the functioning of democratic institutions. This dual approach enables a comprehensive exploration of whether political trust fosters broader ideological support for democracy or primarily sustains satisfaction with institutional performance. The analysis focuses on Europe, a region marked by diverse political systems and varying levels of trust, where challenges such as rising populism, economic inequality, and governance crises have tested the resilience of democratic institutions. This raises important questions about how political trust affects democratic support, especially in light of rising populist movements, political polarization, and growing disenchantment with traditional political elites. Drawing on cross-national survey data, the study explores regional patterns in political trust and their implications for democratic legitimacy. This research aims to bridge theoretical and empirical gaps by demonstrating how political trust shapes democratic attitudes under different contexts. The findings will contribute to understanding the critical role of trust in sustaining democracy and offer insights into the mechanisms by which declining trust might erode democratic stability in Europe. By highlighting these dynamics, the paper addresses pressing questions about the future of democracy in an era of increasing political uncertainty