Colloquium: Trust Dynamics in Electoral Competition

This study delves into the fragility of trust between voters and politicians, probing the likelihood of equilibrium recovery following disruptions. We identify a critical trust threshold, leading to a stable equilibrium marked by politicians’ moderate deception and voters’ tempered expectations above it, versus trust’s gradual decline and spiraling skepticism below. These insights highlight that while stable levels of trust are feasible, they should not be taken for granted, shedding light on the underpinnings of recent trust crises across European democracies.