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Trump, climate science and under-insurance: Why building trust won’t work
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 2017Department/School
School of Geography, Planning and Spatial SciencesPlace of publication
Hobart, TasmaniaEvent title
School of Land and Food Annual Research Conference 2017Event Venue
Hobart, TasmaniaDate of Event (Start Date)
2017-06-13Date of Event (End Date)
2017-06-15Repository Status
- Restricted