Trust By Generation

Critical Analysis

1. According to the data from the visual above, what portion of Baby Boomers (old people!) report having “some” or “a lot of” trust in the U.S. government?

2. According to the data from the visual above, what portion of Gen Z (high school/college students) report having “some” or “a lot of” trust in the U.S. government?

3. Based on the data above, overall what is the least trusted government institution?

4. What do you think explains the difference in trust between local, state, and U.S. government as illustrated in the visual above.

5. Based on the data from the visual above, describe how the level of trust in government varies by generation.

6. Make a claim explaining that difference in trust between generations.

7. The next generation to come (people even younger than you!) is called the Alpha generation (which is a totally stupid name). If the trends you identified in the data above continue, what will the level of trust in the government be for Alpha generation?

8. Trust is the foundation upon which the legitimacy of democratic institutions rest. Trust is crucial for ensuring the success of a wide range of public policies that depend on behavioral responses from the public. For example, public trust leads to greater compliance with public health responses, regulations and the tax system. In the longer term, trust is needed to help governments tackle long-term societal challenges such as climate change. How do you think the lack of public trust in the government as shown in the charts above impacted the response to COVID-19?

9. In the 18th century, American colonists lost trust in the British government. They wrote the Declaration of Independence and then did something about it. What do you think would happen if the current level of trust in the U.S. government fell to zero?

10. According to the visual below* identify what generation you are in and describe the level of trust you personally feel in the U.S. government.

Learning Extension

Check out the latest tracking polls from Morning Consult.

Action Extension

Indicate your own level of trust in the institutions polled above and below* and share your own findings with your classmates.

Visual Extension*