Abstract
Abstract In this chapter we review the literature on the relationship between quality of government—conceptualized as quality of institutions at the output side of government—and generalized social trust (trust in strangers). After reviewing the theoretical mechanisms—in both directions—proposed to link social trust and quality of government, we review the empirical evidence. We report considerable evidence for a positive relationship between trust and various manifestations of quality of government at both the societal level (macro) and the individual level (micro). Most studies have limited causal leverage, but a few studies—primarily at the individual level—employ designs better suited for causal statements. These studies suggest a positive effect of institutional quality on generalized social trust. We conclude the review by discussing path for further research.
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