Analyzing Trends in Government Trust Over Two Decades

In recent years, public opinion polls have shown notable trends in attitudes towards government trust and efficacy in the United States. According to polling data from the General Social Survey (GSS) and the Pew Research Center, trust in government has declined significantly since the early 2000s, with approximately 25% of respondents expressing trust in government institutions as of 2021. Additionally, GSS data indicates that a larger percentage of respondents believe that government is mainly run for the benefit of a few big interests rather than for the benefit of all.

Using the data provided, analyze the trend of government trust over the past two decades. In your response, identify at least two significant factors that may have contributed to this trend. Include a discussion about the implications of decreased trust in government on political participation and civic engagement.