Democratic theory and trust

Abstract

It is not obvious that trust should be of interest to theorists of democracy – except, perhaps, as an undesirable or unavoidable residue of undemocratic modes of governing and decision-making. After all, democratic progress is most often sparked by distrust of authorities. Innovations in democratic institutions usually involve new ways of monitoring and controlling those in power, on the assumption that, as a rule, those with power cannot or ought not to be trusted. In the first instance, democracy is about controlling, limiting, and distributing power. And democracy in this sense seems most necessary precisely when those who claim they are trustworthy are found to have abused their trust. Clearly, distrust is essential not only to democratic progress but also, we might think, to the healthy suspicion of power upon which the vitality of democracy depends.