The Americans have low trust in governments, big business, and news media, according to a recent Gallup poll.
To wit, 57% of people reported having very little confidence in Congress, 51% said the same about television news, 46% in the presidency, 41% in big business, and 35% in the Supreme Court. This begs the question: why this low public trust?
The short answers are a lack of transparency and accountability. However, technology is also empowering the powerful, further exacerbating the problems. As stated by the Pew Research Center, “corporate and government agendas generally do not serve democratic goals or achieve democratic outcomes. They serve the goals of those in power.”
Who are the powerful? The Russian oligarchy certainly. But in the US, Elon Musk and others clearly fit the bill. Interestingly, former president Trump has been mentioned as an oligarch. The concentration of power cloaked by technology furthers the influence of the oligarchs.
What does mean for the public? When the majority has little confidence in Congress, supposedly the watchdog, there is no transparency nor accountability. The public is left with no leverage. Hence, the lack of trust.
How confident are you that the upcoming election will change the balance?
Running with Buddha 