Level Of Trust In Authorities Research Articles

THE TANDEM OF THE STATE AND CITIZENS: INTERACTION AS A STRATEGY FOR OVERCOMING MODERN CHALLENGES IN STATE BUILDING

The article is devoted to the interaction of the state and citizens as a strategy for overcoming modern challenges in state creation. The purpose of the study is to propose strategic directions for their solution based on the identification of problems of interaction between the state and citizens. In the course of scientific research, general scientific methods of cognition were used: analysis, synthesis, systematization, comparison and generalization. The results of the study show that building effective strategies for overcoming challenges in state formation is a key task for ensuring the stability and prosperity of the state. Major problem areas such as corruption, low trust in law enforcement and iWneffective interaction between the authorities and civil society were carefully identified. The causes of corruption, which permeates all spheres of the country’s life, undermining the authority of the state and democratic principles, were investigated. The high level of distrust of citizens towards state institutions, in particular law enforcement agencies, creates serious challenges for ensuring law and order. Survey data indicate a low level of trust in authorities and citizens’ reluctance to interact with them in case of violation of their rights, which further complicates the situation. It was shown that the effective involvement of civil society in the process of public administration is a necessary condition for overcoming existing problems. An important aspect is the development of special criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the work of state bodies and the inclusion of proposals from public organizations in state policy. Perception of civil organizations as competitors by the authorities and limiting their access to the management process hinders productive cooperation. It was established that sustainable development and strengthening of democratic institutions can only be achieved through transparency, increasing the competences of authorities and strengthening control over their activities. The practical significance of the study lies in the development of strategic directions for the interaction of the state and citizens to overcome the challenges of state creation.

CIVIL IDENTITY OF A PERSONALITY: URGENCY OF FORMATION AND DETECTION IN MODERN UKRAINE

The article analyzes features of personality’s civic identity through awareness of relevance of its formation and detection in modern Ukraine. The following methods were used to conduct the research: analysis and generalization of pedagogical and methodical sources in order to identify the range of issues that require scientific and methodical study; methods of comparative analysis, interpretation and generalization of facts; comparative and analytical methods to analyze formation of personality’s civil identity; system analysis for development of ways of forming personality’s civil identity in modern Ukraine. The concepts of "identity", "personal civil identity", "national identity as a component of citizenship", "state identity", "civil and social competences" are characterized. It is noted that civil identity of a personality is related to a person's sense of belonging to a certain state, the signs of which are considered to be presence of citizenship, high level of trust in authorities, fellow citizens, respect, pride for one's own state, patriotism. It is emphasized that the very concept of democracy is inseparably connected with the concept of "civic identity" in the sense that democratic processes in the state, as a rule, depend on the citizens' informed and active civil position. It was found that the markers of civil identity are language (promote Ukrainian the status of the state language, its mandatory use in official sphere, in educational system and mass media activities), state symbols (anthem, flag, coat of arms of Ukraine), calendar of holidays (which honor important events in the history of Ukraine, its outstanding people. Important role of the educational subject "Civil education" in formation of civil competence, which we consider the basis for further formation of personality’s civil identity based on it, has been determined. Fullness of civil competence in the content of 9 branches of education was analyzed, the content was specified through skills and attitudes. Possibilities of educational subjects in formation of civil competence of schoolchildren were represented. Key words: identity, civil identity of a personality, national identity as a component of civil identity of a person, state identity, civil and social compences.

Living by the sea: place attachment, coastal risk perception, and eco-anxiety when coping with climate change.

Climate change poses major threats to coastal regions. In Portugal, the Aveiro district is one of the most vulnerable areas due to urbanized areas' exposure to the dangers of rising water. The prospect of flood threats can trigger a range of cognitions and emotions that affect adaptation and mitigation measures' success. This study sought to examine whether active and traditional place attachment is associated with residents' active and passive coping strategies to deal with the risk of rising water levels. An additional aim was to clarify whether these relationships are mediated by risk perception and eco-anxiety. The links between individuals' level of trust in authorities and coping mechanisms were also examined. An online questionnaire was completed by 197 Aveiro residents. The data show that active place attachment is connected to greater risk perception, eco-anxiety, and adoption of active coping strategies (e.g., problem solving). Low eco-anxiety was also found to have a positive effect on active coping strategies. Lower trust in the responsible authorities was additionally associated with active coping mechanisms. Overall, the results support the sequential mediation model for active coping but not for passive coping. The findings reinforce the need to consider cognitive factors (e.g., risk perception) and emotional factors (e.g., place attachment and practical eco-anxiety) to understand more fully how coastal residents deal with flood threats. Practical implications for policymakers are discussed.

Impact of cry wolf effects on social preparedness and the efficiency of flood early warning systems

Abstract. To improve the efficiency of flood early warning systems (FEWS), it is important to understand the interactions between natural and social systems. The high level of trust in authorities and experts is necessary to improve the likeliness of individuals to take preparedness actions responding to warnings. Despite many efforts to develop the dynamic model of human and water in socio-hydrology, no socio-hydrological models explicitly simulate social collective trust in FEWS. Here, we develop the stylized model to simulate the interactions of flood, social collective memory, social collective trust in FEWS, and preparedness actions responding to warnings by extending the existing socio-hydrological model. We realistically simulate the cry wolf effect in which many false alarms undermine the credibility of the early warning systems and make it difficult to induce preparedness actions. We found that (1) considering the dynamics of social collective trust in FEWS is more important in the technological society with infrequent flood events than in the green society with frequent flood events; and (2) as the natural scientific skill to predict flood events is improved, the efficiency of FEWS gets more sensitive to the behavior of social collective trust, so that forecasters need to determine their warning threshold by considering the social aspects.

Waiting for the COVID-19 vaccine: vaccine intention, trust in authorities and information needs in an Italian sample

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 vaccine development timelines offered a unique opportunity to explore the public’s vaccine intention in an unusual situation characterised by great uncertainty about the vaccine’s features and the disease it intended to prevent. To advance our knowledge of vaccine intention mechanisms under these unusual circumstances, to plan effective vaccination strategies, and to better direct communication efforts in similar scenarios, this study explored i) COVID19-related information needs, information-seeking behaviours, and perceived trustworthiness of news media; ii) COVID-19 vaccination intention and its determinants, during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. In particular, it was investigated whether and to what extent the perception of severity and susceptibility to the infection, trust in authorities, and demographics shaped people’s vaccine intention. Between April and May 2020 in a cross-sectional study, 1373 Italian participants completed an online survey measuring demographic features, perception of the disease severity, disease risk perception, COVID19-related worry, disease-related information needs and behaviours, vaccination intention, and level of trust in authorities and news media. The leading information needs were the COVID-19 incubation period and transmission modalities, with the majority of people actively looking for information from one to three times a day. Despite uncertainty around the details of a COVID-19 vaccination, 68% of participants reported intending to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Greater COVID-19 vaccination intention was associated with having a regular history of seasonal flu vaccine, a greater COVID19-related worry, a higher perception of disease severity, and a higher trust in the Government. These findings further our understanding of vaccine intention in a pandemic scenario where a vaccine is still hypothetical and provide valuable information on the public’s representation of the infection and future acceptance of a vaccine to inform the development of communication interventions aiming to maximise adherence to vaccination programmes and to modify disease-related dysfunctional representations.

Evaluation of science advice during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden

Sweden was well equipped to prevent the pandemic of COVID-19 from becoming serious. Over 280 years of collaboration between political bodies, authorities, and the scientific community had yielded many successes in preventive medicine. Sweden’s population is literate and has a high level of trust in authorities and those in power. During 2020, however, Sweden had ten times higher COVID-19 death rates compared with neighbouring Norway. In this report, we try to understand why, using a narrative approach to evaluate the Swedish COVID-19 policy and the role of scientific evidence and integrity. We argue that that scientific methodology was not followed by the major figures in the acting authorities—or the responsible politicians—with alternative narratives being considered as valid, resulting in arbitrary policy decisions. In 2014, the Public Health Agency, after 5 years of rearrangement, merged with the Institute for Infectious Disease Control, with six professors leaving between 2010 and 2012 going to the Karolinska Institute. With this setup, the authority lost scientific expertise. The Swedish pandemic strategy seemed targeted towards “natural” herd-immunity and avoiding a societal shutdown. The Public Health Agency labelled advice from national scientists and international authorities as extreme positions, resulting in media and political bodies to accept their own policy instead. The Swedish people were kept in ignorance of basic facts such as the airborne SARS-CoV-2 transmission, that asymptomatic individuals can be contagious and that face masks protect both the carrier and others. Mandatory legislation was seldom used; recommendations relying upon personal responsibility and without any sanctions were the norm. Many elderly people were administered morphine instead of oxygen despite available supplies, effectively ending their lives. If Sweden wants to do better in future pandemics, the scientific method must be re-established, not least within the Public Health Agency. It would likely make a large difference if a separate, independent Institute for Infectious Disease Control is recreated. We recommend Sweden begins a self-critical process about its political culture and the lack of accountability of decision-makers to avoid future failures, as occurred with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The role of trust in risk communication: the Norwegian experience

Abstract Communication concerns giving and receiving information and ideas. In a public health context, risk communication also includes encouraging people to change their behaviour. During the COVID-19 epidemic, there has been a constant flow of information, but evidence has shown that not all forms of communication have the same effects on the general population. Risk communication only works well when the communication is based on trust between Those with the expertise Those with responsibility Those affected Listening to and understanding people's thoughts, worries and experiences is just as important as offering facts and advice. Transparency about what is known and about the unknowns, is essential, as is allowing for interim advice following new knowledge. In the Scandinavian countries, where the cultural context is fairly similar, research has shown the positive effect on trust, when displaying scientific disagreement and being transparent about discussions and debates among health authorities - and between health authorities and other professionals. Inviting the public to know when science does not as yet have an answer, has led to higher confidence in the authorities and higher likelihood of compliance with advice. Showing people why advice has changed and illustrating the scientific processes behind the advice given, make people understand the authorities' reasoning and increases trustworthiness, although it may be argued that this depends on a previous high level of trust in authorities. We draw from the experience of Norway, one of the most successful countries in continental Europe in containing COVID-19 impacts, to outline the importance of trust in developing a successful risk communication strategy.

Psychological response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada: main stressors and assets.

Background:The COVID-19 crisis has unique features that increase the sense of fear, and comes with additional stressors (e.g., confusion, discrimination, quarantine), which can lead to adverse psychological responses. There is however limited understanding of differences between sociocultural contexts in psychological response to pandemics and other disasters.Objective:To examine how Canadians in different provinces, and with different governance modes and sociocultural contexts, understand and react to the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:A web-based survey was conducted from April 8–11, 2020, among a representative sample of 600 Canadian adults from two different contexts (n=300 in Quebec, the French part of Canada, and n=300 elsewhere in Canada). Two psychological outcomes were assessed: probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and probable generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The roles of various stressors (i.e., threat perceived for oneself or family/friends, quarantine or isolation, financial losses, victims of stigma), assets (i.e., trust in authorities, information received, and compliance with directives) and sources of information used on these two outcomes were also examined. Chi-square tests were performed to examine differences in the distribution of probable PTSD and GAD according to these stressors and assets.Results:Probable PTSD and GAD were observed in 25.5% and 25.4% of the respondents, respectively. These proportions were significantly lower in Quebec than elsewhere in Canada. Perceiving a high level of threat and being a victim of stigma were positively associated with probable PTSD and GAD (but not quarantine/isolation and financial losses). A high level of trust in authorities was the only asset associated with a lower risk of PTSD or GAD. Interestingly, this asset was more frequently reported in Quebec than elsewhere in Canada.Conclusion:The COVID-19 pandemic represents a unique opportunity to evaluate the psychosocial impacts on various sociocultural groups and contexts, providing important lessons that could help respond to future disasters.

What may we hope for? Education in times of climate change

What may we hope for? Education in times of climate change

Public perception of flood risk in flash flood prone areas of Eastern Mediterranean: The case of Attica Region in Greece

Even though flooding is one of the most destructive natural hazards in the Mediterranean, causing hundreds of deaths and economic losses and despite the significant efforts of civil protection authorities of all levels to protect human lives and assets, a critical piece of information, that is how the general population perceives flood risk, is not well known, especially in the Eastern part of the region. This work uses structured questionnaires to obtain basic information on how the population of one of the largest urban areas in Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean understands flood risk, risk mitigation and to what degree they take protection measures, they trust relevant institutions and they are aware of flood warning and flood protection actions. Then, the study examines potential correlations of the findings with respondents’ demographics.Results show that respondents rank floods third in terms of importance behind earthquakes and forest fires that are important risk in the region, although the vast majority believes the risk is increasing, mostly due to anthropogenic factors. Responses illustrate low levels of trust in authorities and low levels of knowledge of protection actions and awareness regarding floods, as well as low levels of preparedness, in terms of taking private mitigation measures. Respondents’ characteristics such as age, gender, previous flood experience and marital status are show statistical correlation with responses, as individuals present different perception and levels of knowledge and preparedness. Overall, the findings illustrate the need for better education and awareness campaigns regarding flood risk and mitigation measures.

An Evaluation of the Scale of Undeclared Work in the European Union and Its Structural Determinants: Estimates Using the Labour Input Method

An Evaluation of the Scale of Undeclared Work in the European Union and Its Structural Determinants: Estimates Using the Labour Input Method

Preliminary perspectives on DNA collection in anti-human trafficking efforts.

Forensic DNA methodologies have potential applications in the investigation of human trafficking cases. DNA and relationship testing may be useful for confirmation of biological relationship claims in immigration, identification of trafficked individuals who are missing persons, and family reunification of displaced individuals after mass disasters and conflicts. As these applications rely on the collection of DNA from non-criminals and potentially vulnerable individuals, questions arise as to how to address the ethical challenges of collection, security, and privacy of collected samples and DNA profiles. We administered a survey targeted to victims' advocates to gain preliminary understanding of perspectives regarding human trafficking definitions, DNA and sex workers, and perceived trust of authorities potentially involved in DNA collection. We asked respondents to consider the use of DNA for investigating adoption fraud, sex trafficking, and post-conflict child soldier cases. We found some key differences in perspectives on defining what qualifies as "trafficking." When we varied terminology between "sex worker" and "sex trafficking victim" we detected differences in perception on which authorities can be trusted. Respondents were supportive of the hypothetical models proposed to collect DNA. Most were favorable of DNA specimens being controlled by an authority outside of law enforcement. Participants voiced concerns focused on privacy, misuse of DNA samples and data, unintentional harms, data security, and infrastructure. These preliminary data indicate that while there is perceived value in programs to use DNA for investigating cases of human trafficking, these programs may need to consider levels of trust in authorities as their logistics are developed and implemented.

Mines and Microbes: Public Responses to Biological Treatment of Toxic Discharge

This article examines public acceptability of ecogenomics-enhanced bioremediation (EEB), a novel technology designed to treat polluted mine drainage. Given the newness of EEB and its application to a controversial area, it is important to assess its public acceptability; however, no assessments of EEB acceptability currently exist. Drawing on the Public Acceptability of Controversial Technologies framework, we treat acceptability as the conditional willingness of social groups to consider a technology as an option. Interviews were conducted with nine community groups and three First Nations living adjacent to a pilot EEB system. Participants express generally positive attitudes toward EEB, but are worried about potential unintended consequences. With low levels of trust in authorities, groups propose public monitoring as a condition of acceptability—but are skeptical that this condition will be met. Future research could facilitate processes in which acceptability conditions can be met and examine consequent changes to public acceptability.

Supporters and Opponents of Potable Recycled Water: Culture and Cognition in the Toowoomba Referendum

Public opposition to potable recycled water remains an implementation barrier. A potable recycled water scheme was rejected in a referendum by the Toowoomba community of Queensland, Australia. Toowoomba is treated here as a case study. Focus groups were undertaken with supporters and opponents of recycled water to qualitatively explore influences on their voting behavior in the referendum. The theoretical frameworks of cultural theory and motivated social cognition are used together to analyze the values, beliefs, and psychological needs shaping recycled water attitudes and policy preferences. The results illustrate how popular value-basis theories play out at the local level through community recycled water discourse. Differences were observed in attitudes to uncertainty and change, and reliance on worldview arguments. Biases in information processing were revealed, with supporters and opponents selectively attending to information aligned with their own values. Worldview and selective cognition influenced levels of trust in authorities and perceived risk.

The Fukushima Nuclear Crisis Reemphasizes the Need for Improved Risk Communication and Better Use of Social Media

The potential of social media has expanded far beyond the initial function of social communication among a network of friends. It has become an increasingly important tool in risk communication to allow the dissemination of timely and accurate information to global citizens to make more informed choices regarding a particular crisis. The Fukushima nuclear crisis is an example where the potential of social media was not fully tapped. This caused undue stress and distrust of authorities. While the use of social media in this crisis could have altered significantly the level of trust in authorities and others, two additional points should be considered. One point is the use of plain language versus scientific language in order to reach a wider audience. The other is an urgent need to improve public information especially in the event of a nuclear emergency and to enhance educational efforts and action by improving radiological protection communication from regulatory bodies and international agencies. These are points that also play a large role in the use of social media.