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Widening the gap? How socio-economic status moderates the relationship between political participation and trust

Author

Listed:
  • Adrià Albareda

    (Department of Public Administration and Sociology, 6984Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Moritz Müller

    (Institute of Public Administration, Leiden University, The Hague, The Netherlands)

Abstract

This study argues that political participation is a key factor when explaining levels of political trust among citizens. It explores how this relationship is moderated by the socio-economic status (i.e., household income and educational level) of citizens. The article contributes to the field of political trust by employing European Social Survey data from 2016 and 2018. Two findings stand out: firstly, whereas political participation through institutionalized channels is positively related to higher levels of trust among citizens with high socio-economic status, this effect is not present among citizens with lower levels of socio-economic status. Secondly, citizens that highly engage in non-institutionalized modes of political participation and with lower levels of socio-economic status are the ones with lower levels of political trust.

Suggested Citation

  • Adrià Albareda & Moritz Müller, 2025. "Widening the gap? How socio-economic status moderates the relationship between political participation and trust," European Union Politics, , vol. 26(2), pages 205-225, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:eeupol:v:26:y:2025:i:2:p:205-225
    DOI: 10.1177/14651165251318207
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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