A decline in political trust is seen by Luttbeg and Gant (1995) as directly linked to a corresponding decline in the overall health of a political system. This linkage has the effect of creating voting trends and patterns that are not truly representative of the views of the larger electorate. When political trust declines, one of several types of alienation is also likely to become evident. Powerlessness, a sense of a lack of internal efficacy, anomie or cynicism, and meaninglessness may be evident among the polity. Finally, the question of isolation also emerges (Luttbeg & Gant, 1995).
Flanigan and Zingale (2002) believe that a certain degree of cynicism is always present in any political system but also note that belief in democratic ideals is essential to the preservation of a democratic system. Maintaining a democracy depends in large measure upon a high degree of political trust in which voters trust their government sufficiently to engage in minimal participation and the activities of the democracy. When this trust is diminished, voter turnout tends to decline and individuals refrain from civic activities that are supportive of a democracy.
Luttbeg and Gant (1995) maintain that political trust in the United States has fluctuated dramatically. For example, in 1964 some 62 percent of the American people indicated t hat they felt it impossible to trust government to do what is right most of the time. By 1974, this figure had declined to 33 percent and by 1980 had reached a level of 23 percent. Briefly in 1984, political trust increased to 40 percent, but declined again to 26 percent as of 1992 (Luttbeg & Gant, 1995).
A charismatic or popular president is able to encourage political trust and to convince voters that their wishes and needs are included in the governmentÆs actions. However, scandals, economic shifts, interest group politics, and perceived leadership vacuums all foster disaffection and create al...