NCoC: What is Happening to Civic Trust?

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What is Happening to Civic Trust?

California 2009 Civic Health Index

November 24, 2009

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With difﬁcult economic times complicating Californians’ efforts to stay engaged with the state’s civic life, conﬁdence in government and non-government institutions alike has begun
to show signs of the strain. Scientiﬁc groups and small businesses remain at the top of the “most trusted” institutions in the state, along with organized religion and public schools.

But fewer than one in twenty Californians say they have “a great deal of conﬁdence” in ﬁfinancial institutions and major companies after the economic tremors that have shaken the state. Federal agencies and Congress aren’t viewed much more favorably.22

There are some indications that Californians are holding on ﬁrmly to their sense of self—with many saying they feel the same attachment to the state that they do with people in their own neighborhood. Just under 40% of respondents say they have a moderate or very strong personal connection to the people on their block. Roughly the same number said they feel the same way about people in the state as a whole, as well.23

Still, the tumultuous last year has brought government at all levels under scrutiny. Only 13% of Californians say they have “a great deal of conﬁdence” in the federal government to spend This dwindling conﬁdence in civic institutions is not consistent across every group in the state, however. Instead, it appears to vary dramatically according to race, income—and even proximity to the institution. The national study, for example, ﬁnds that the billions of dollars of stimulus money wisely. Less than 10%, meanwhile, trust either the state or their local government to do the same.24

Here to Stay: Groups That Are Most Likely to Remain Engaged • Government at all Levels- Federal, State, and Local- Vies for Confidence

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