Trust in Democracy: An evaluation of American civil society

Theresa Jarmila De Gree

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

The purpose of this thesis is to argue how social networking sites affect social capital – which in turn affects trust in democracy. Trust is individuals’ reliance and benevolence on others, institutions, and governments. While using Petr Sztompka’s method for measuring the levels of this trust, labeled as the “syndrome of distrust,” it is clear that the US society does not trust in their government, which is a democracy. I how SNS are a cause of this, and relate them to social capital. Social capital is the combination of networks, norms, and trust that connect individuals within a society. The forms of social capital are bonding, bridging, and linking. Within this thesis, I first explore the social capital theory. Next, I focus on the social capital debate. Third, I hone into social networking sites. Then, I synthesize different studies on how SNS bond, bridge, and link social capital, and include a self-conducted survey. Some studies use empirical data, while others are based on theory– namely echo chambers, tertiary associations, and two-step flow of communication. This thesis finds that there are both positive and negative impacts of social networking sites on social capital, and that, coupled with the rise of polarization, contribute to lowering trust in democracy. To correct and preserve levels of trust in democracy, the US must focus on leveraging the positive influences on SNS while mitigating the negative ones.

Abstract:

The purpose of this thesis is to argue how social networking sites affect social capital – which in turn affects trust in democracy. Trust is individuals’ reliance and benevolence on others, institutions, and governments. While using Petr Sztompka’s method for measuring the levels of this trust, labeled as the “syndrome of distrust,” it is clear that the US society does not trust in their government, which is a democracy. I how SNS are a cause of this, and relate them to social capital. Social capital is the combination of networks, norms, and trust that connect individuals within a society. The forms of social capital are bonding, bridging, and linking. Within this thesis, I first explore the social capital theory. Next, I focus on the social capital debate. Third, I hone into social networking sites. Then, I synthesize different studies on how SNS bond, bridge, and link social capital, and include a self-conducted survey. Some studies use empirical data, while others are based on theory– namely echo chambers, tertiary associations, and two-step flow of communication. This thesis finds that there are both positive and negative impacts of social networking sites on social capital, and that, coupled with the rise of polarization, contribute to lowering trust in democracy. To correct and preserve levels of trust in democracy, the US must focus on leveraging the positive influences on SNS while mitigating the negative ones.

Keywords

social networking sites, trust, democracy, social capital, bonding, bridging, linking, social networks, social norms, echo chambers, tertiary associations, and two-step flow of communication, us v them, ontological security

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 27. 4. 2023

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 7. 6. 2023
• Supervisor: prof. PhDr. Karel Müller, Ph.D.
• Reader: PhDr. Pavel Pšeja, Ph.D.

CEVRO Institute

Bachelor programme / field:
Economics, Business, Politics / Economics, Business, Politics