When you distrust elites it seeps into everything. Back in 1960, 58 percent of Americans believed “most people can be trusted.” In 2014, that number had dropped by nearly half. When people don’t gather in person to grind out differences at their church groups, town councils, and Odd Fellows embalmings, they stew in their houses, ascribing bad motives to those who disagree with them. Once you suspect everyone else is a selfish liar, it’s hard for a society to function. When you have no trust in institutions, you don’t believe that mom or dad can settle an argument. So you have to fight to the
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