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How culture may nurture institutional trust: Insights from Bangladesh and Nepal

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  • Ishtiaq Jamil
  • Hasan Muhammad Baniamin

Abstract

Motivation Most studies of the normative roots of political trust argue that they stem from policy performance rather than from cultural orientation. That sits at odds with the observation that institutional trust—that is, citizens’ confidence in public agencies—is high in Bangladesh and Nepal despite poor policy performance. Purpose The article assesses the influence of policy performance and cultural orientation of citizens in Bangladesh and Nepal on institutional trust. Approach and Methods The article draws on country representative surveys (Governance and Trust Survey 2) in Bangladesh and Nepal carried out in 2014–15. It identifies cultural preferences and specifically authoritarian cultural orientation (ACO)—characterized by deference to authority, unquestioning obedience, and reliance on authorities—and compares this to institutional trust. Findings High authoritarian cultural orientation (ACO) can lead citizens to trust public institutions. People’s submissiveness to the country’s authorities can obstruct critical thinking and even create positive impressions of the authorities, which in turn generates institutional trust. Institutions that are more visible and exert more authority may attract greater trust among citizens who exhibit ACO. Policy Implications When assessing citizens’ perceptions of policy performance, their cultural orientations must be considered. Trust in public agencies cannot be treated as proxy for their policy performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Ishtiaq Jamil & Hasan Muhammad Baniamin, 2021. "How culture may nurture institutional trust: Insights from Bangladesh and Nepal," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 39(3), pages 419-434, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:devpol:v:39:y:2021:i:3:p:419-434
    DOI: 10.1111/dpr.12520
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hasan Muhammad Baniamin, 2019. "Linking socio-economic performance, quality of governance, and trust in the civil service: does culture intercede in the perceived relationships? Evidence from and beyond Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lan," Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(3), pages 127-141, July.
    2. Hetherington, Marc J., 1998. "The Political Relevance of Political Trust," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 92(4), pages 791-808, December.
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    1. Arelys López-Concepción & Ana Gil-Lacruz & Isabel Saz-Gil & Víctor Bazán-Monasterio, 2022. "Social Well-Being for a Sustainable Future: The Influence of Trust in Big Business and Banks on Perceptions of Technological Development from a Life Satisfaction Perspective in Latin America," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Yousueng Han & Narayan Aryal & Kwangseon Hwang, 2024. "Local governmentsʼ accountability and public trust in Nepal: Does participation make a difference?," Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 11(2), May.
    3. Tahmina Ferdous Tanny & Habib Zafarullah, 2023. "Performance Values, Service Delivery and Citizen Satisfaction: A Study of Institutional Trust in Bangladesh," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 23(1), pages 225-244, March.

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