Navigating Institutional (Dis)Trust

Abstract

This chapter investigates the complex and dynamic relationship between democratic social movements and institutional trust and distrust. While movements are often grounded in social trust among members, they frequently express critical trust or outright distrust towards institutions. Drawing on qualitative data from 28 focus groups and 14 interviews with 14 grassroots movements across seven European countries, the chapter explores how movements perceive trust and distrust, and whether these attitudes influence their willingness to engage and cooperate with institutional actors. The findings reveal that institutional distrust is widespread but typically framed as a form of critical, democratic vigilance rather than anti-system sentiment. Movements often demand accountability and transparency rather than reject democratic institutions outright. Importantly, institutional cooperation is not solely determined by levels of trust or distrust but also shaped by strategic goals, past experiences, and interpersonal relationships. By situating trust and distrust as practice-oriented phenomena, the chapter contributes to a more nuanced understanding of democratic legitimacy, political engagement, and the strategic orientations of social movements in contemporary Europe