Generalized Trust and Support for the Welfare State

A Multilevel Analysis Using ISSP Data

Abstract

　This article has two purposes. One is to examine the relationship between income

inequality and generalized trust, and the other is to examine the relationship

between generalized trust and support for the welfare state. This article argues

that although the generous welfare state contributes to the building of generalized

trust, it is not necessarily desirable for the legitimacy of the welfare

state. The following findings were obtained from multilevel analysis using ISSP

data. First, individuals in countries with higher income inequality are less likely

to trust others. Second, high trusters are less likely to support the welfare state.

Third, the effect of generalized trust on support for the welfare state is smaller

in countries that spend more on active labor market policies.

　The generous welfare state contributes to the building of generalized trust by

reducing income inequality. Nevertheless, generalized trust as “the foundation

of solidarity and cooperation” has the potential to undermine the legitimacy of

the welfare state by promoting the spirit of mutual help in the community. However,

there are considerable cross-national differences in the effect of generalized

trust on support for the welfare state. The level of spending on active labor

market policies of each country explains these cross-national differences. That

is, whether generalized trust undermines the legitimacy of the welfare state depends

on the institutional characteristics of the welfare state. The results suggest

the possibility that the welfare state that promotes horizontal solidarity between

beneficiaries and contributors prevents the defection of high trusters.