institutions will fall (2000, p.51). As Dasgupta displayed accountability is closely
linked to trust in institutions and can be used to determine the amount of trust
there is in institutions however, this report will focus on the impact that trust has
on the nature of political participation more precisely.
Other Scholars have sought out how institutional trust can be generated. After
all, more trust translates into positive sentiments for both political actors and
institutions which in turn provides institutions a larger store of support
regardless of the performance of those running the government (Hetherington,
1998, p.803). As a result, the key question for government and institutions is how
to generate this trust that allows us an opportunity to govern effectively without
risk of citizens rejecting a broad sweeping policy reform. Mishler & Rose answer
to this is that institutional performance holds the key to developing trust in
political institutions (2001, p.56). This refers back to the original definition of
trust in political institutions that the more accountable the institution is, and the
effectiveness of that accountability increases trust.
3). What is Political Participation?
3.1). Political Participation vs Political Engagement
Political participation refers to the process by which citizens express their own
political beliefs and opinions in order to influence the political process. Verba
and Nie define political participation as “activities by private citizens that are
more or less directly aimed at influencing the selection of governmental
personnel and/or the actions they take” (1987, p.134). Early work by scholars
such as Lester Milbrath detailed behaviors that constituted political
participation, ranging from something as simple as “initiating a political
discussion” or “wearing a button”, to more impactful forms of participation such
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