Trust in Public Healthcare and the Government's Social Responsibility: Reciprocal Relations between Citizens' Normative and Practical Considerations

In recent decades there has been growing scholarly interest in the various aspects of public trust in government – its origins and possible impact on society and effective governance. Public trust can empower public... [ view full abstract ]

In recent decades there has been growing scholarly interest in the various aspects of public trust in government – its origins and possible impact on society and effective governance. Public trust can empower public officials, leading to greater effectiveness and improved management. It can also motivate coordination between the various players in the public sector and reduce the transaction costs that have become prohibitive in many economic and administrative systems. It is therefore crucial to understand the origins of public trust in government.

This paper investigates the reciprocal relations between institutional trust and normative attitudes about the government’s responsibility to its citizens with a focus on the healthcare sector. Analyzing the findings from a national survey of 625 Israeli citizens, we show that the performance and outcomes of the public healthcare system are a major component in trust building among citizens. In addition, they also affect their general normative perceptions about the government’s social responsibility. The paper integrates the literature about agenda setting and redistribution preferences, demonstrating the important role that government responsiveness to citizens’ expectations has in trust relations.