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Determinants of Confidence in U.S. Institutions: Comparing Congress and Corporations

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  • Daniel Bolger
  • Robert Thomson
  • Elaine Howard Ecklund

Abstract

Objectives The political discourse surrounding the 2016 U.S. presidential election highlighted discontent with both Congress and corporations, a reality corroborated in recent scholarship highlighting declines in institutional confidence among U.S. citizens. Here we test theories of institutional confidence to understand the social and cultural determinants of confidence in Congress and corporations prior to the start of the 2016 presidential campaigns. Methods We draw on data from the Religious Understandings of Science Survey, a nationally representative survey conducted in 2013–2014 (N = 9,416). Results We find that political ideology largely explained confidence in corporations while social location (particularly racial‐ethnic identity and gender) strongly related to confidence in Congress. Seemingly opposing factors converged to predict trust in both institutions. Conclusions Institutional confidence is shaped not only by social and cultural factors but also by the symbolic functions of institutions themselves.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Bolger & Robert Thomson & Elaine Howard Ecklund, 2021. "Determinants of Confidence in U.S. Institutions: Comparing Congress and Corporations," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 102(1), pages 324-342, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:102:y:2021:i:1:p:324-342
    DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.12921
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Diana Evans & Ana Franco & J. L. Polinard & James P. Wenzel & Robert D. Wrinkle, 2017. "Who's on the Bench? The Impact of Latino Descriptive Representation on U.S. Supreme Court Approval Among Latinos and Anglos," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 98(5), pages 1233-1249, November.
    2. Joshua Klugman & Jun Xu, 2008. "Racial Differences in Public Confidence in Education: 1974–2002," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 89(1), pages 155-176, March.
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