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Trump, climate science and under-insurance: Why building trust won’t work

conference contribution
posted on 2023-05-24, 16:10 authored by Kate BoothKate Booth
A loss of public trust is frequently given as a reason for why voters are turning away from major political parties, and why climate (and other) science may have limited impact on public opinion and policy. In some social science literature, a loss of trust is equated to emerging social and political disorder. In other literature, an emphasis is placed on developing conditions and mechanisms for building trust for good economic or political outcomes. Trust is most frequently measured using standardised survey questions, but in this paper I speculate that these cannot be interpreted as actual trust (or distrust) levels. Looking more closely at ‘trust issues’ in the purchase of house and contents insurance, I introduce new insights into the emotional dimensions of trust and the relationship between trust and power. A lack of trust in insurers appears to be an important contributing factor in house and contents under-insurance. Paying attention the power inequities that are part and parcel of A loss of public trust is frequently given as a reason for why voters are turning away from major political parties, and why climate (and other) science may have limited impact on public opinion and policy. In some social science literature, a loss of trust is equated to emerging social and political disorder. In other literature, an emphasis is placed on developing conditions and mechanisms for building trust for good economic or political outcomes. Trust is most frequently measured using standardised survey questions, but in this paper I speculate that these cannot be interpreted as actual trust (or distrust) levels. Looking more closely at ‘trust issues’ in the purchase of house and contents insurance, I introduce new insights into the emotional dimensions of trust and the relationship between trust and power. A lack of trust in insurers appears to be an important contributing factor in house and contents under-insurance. Paying attention the power inequities that are part and parcel of consumer trust in insurers provides an alternative understanding of what trust is and why attempts to build trust do not necessarily produce the hoped for outcomes.

Funding

Australian Research Council

History

Publication title

School of Land and Food Annual Research Conference 2017

Department/School

School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences

Place of publication

Hobart, Tasmania

Event title

School of Land and Food Annual Research Conference 2017

Event Venue

Hobart, Tasmania

Date of Event (Start Date)

2017-06-13

Date of Event (End Date)

2017-06-15

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in human society

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