Trust in government institutions: The effects of performance and participation in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Issue 1 (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stoyan, Alissandra T; Niedzwiecki, Sara; Morgan, Jana; Hartlyn, Jonathan; Espinal, Rosario
• Is Part Of: International political science review. Volume 37:Issue 1(2016:Jan.)
• Page Start: 18
• Page End: 35
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Institutional trust -- government performance -- political participation -- civic engagement -- religious engagement -- contextual effects -- corruption -- security -- economy; Political science -- Periodicals; 320.05
• DOI: 10.1177/0192512114534703
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0192-5121

Abstract

This article analyzes theories of institutional trust in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, two developing countries that have shared some historical legacies but currently manifest divergent economic and political trajectories. The evidence confirms that conventional theories emphasizing participation and government performance help us understand institutional trust in both countries. In addition, the analysis emphasizes the analytical leverage gained by exploring the extent to which different facets of engagement have divergent effects on institutional trust. The findings build upon previous research to underscore the importance of considering how context shapes the precise ways in which performance and engagement influence institutional trust, particularly when analyzing the developing world.