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Institutional trust in the time of corona: Evidence from countermeasures in Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Wolfgang Stojetz
  • Neil T. N. Ferguson
  • Ghassan Baliki
  • Sarah Fenzl
  • Patricia Justino
  • Tilman Brück

Abstract

We study how the stringency of policy measures to counter the COVID-19 pandemic affects individuals' trust in formal institutions. Drawing on micro-level panel data from Germany spanning an 18-month period from the onset of the pandemic, we show that, on average, there is a pronounced negative relationship between the stringency level of COVID-19 countermeasures and trust in institutions. We present empirical evidence to argue that the underlying mechanism is a perceived illegitimate attack on civil liberties, reducing trust in the judiciary in particular.

Suggested Citation

  • Wolfgang Stojetz & Neil T. N. Ferguson & Ghassan Baliki & Sarah Fenzl & Patricia Justino & Tilman Brück, 2024. "Institutional trust in the time of corona: Evidence from countermeasures in Germany," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2024-14, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2024-14
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Barry Eichengreen & Orkun Saka & Cevat Giray Aksoy, 2024. "The Political Scar of Epidemics," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 134(660), pages 1683-1700.
    2. Gianmarco Daniele & Andrea F.M. Martinangeli & Francesco Passarelli & Willem Sas & Lisa Windsteiger, 2020. "Wind of Change? Experimental Survey Evidence on the COVID-19 Shock and Socio-Political Attitudes in Europe," Working Papers tax-mpg-rps-2020-10, Max Planck Institute for Tax Law and Public Finance.
    3. Miller, Arthur H. & Listhaug, Ola, 1990. "Political Parties and Confidence in Government: A Comparison of Norway, Sweden and the United States," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 20(3), pages 357-386, July.
    4. Ghassan Baliki & Tilman Brück & Neil T. N. Ferguson & Sindu Workneh Kebede, 2022. "Fragility exposure index: Concepts, measurement, and application," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(2), pages 639-660, May.
    5. Bargain, Olivier & Aminjonov, Ulugbek, 2020. "Trust and compliance to public health policies in times of COVID-19," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    6. Aksoy, Cevat Giray & Eichengreen, Barry & Saka, Orkun, 2020. "The Political Scar of Epidemics," IZA Discussion Papers 13351, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
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    Cited by:

    1. Sebastian Roché & Simon Varaine, 2025. "Harmful or helpful? Trust in the police after a shock: a test of (dual) expectancy disconfirmation theory," Post-Print halshs-05120570, HAL.

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