Political Trust and Participation in the United States
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Political Science
Minor
Business Economics
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Brittany Wood
Presentation Format
Event
Abstract/Description
How does political trust, or the lack of it, in the United States federal government affect individuals’ political participation habits? There are many reasons why someone may vote, protest, run for office, or otherwise engage politically, but I argue that trust in government is a central factor influencing how individuals choose to participate. Drawing on theories of political efficacy and legitimacy, individuals who trust the federal government are more likely to believe that the system is responsive and that their participation, especially conventional forms like voting, will have an impact. This helps explain why higher levels of trust tend to increase conventional participation such as voting. In contrast, lower levels of trust can reduce institutional participation or shift engagement toward alternative forms such as protests or third-party voting, as individuals may feel disconnected from or dissatisfied with the political system. Using data from the 2020 ANES, I expect to find a correlation between individuals’ levels of political trust and their patterns of participation. Political participation is vital in a democratic society, and trust influences how individuals engage with and shape the democracy they live in.
Spring Scholars Week 2026
Political Science and Sociology Department Panel
Political Trust and Participation in the United States
How does political trust, or the lack of it, in the United States federal government affect individuals’ political participation habits? There are many reasons why someone may vote, protest, run for office, or otherwise engage politically, but I argue that trust in government is a central factor influencing how individuals choose to participate. Drawing on theories of political efficacy and legitimacy, individuals who trust the federal government are more likely to believe that the system is responsive and that their participation, especially conventional forms like voting, will have an impact. This helps explain why higher levels of trust tend to increase conventional participation such as voting. In contrast, lower levels of trust can reduce institutional participation or shift engagement toward alternative forms such as protests or third-party voting, as individuals may feel disconnected from or dissatisfied with the political system. Using data from the 2020 ANES, I expect to find a correlation between individuals’ levels of political trust and their patterns of participation. Political participation is vital in a democratic society, and trust influences how individuals engage with and shape the democracy they live in.