All in all, the generations born since the 1960s are markedly less likely to trust other people. Social relationships, whether with friends, family, or coworkers, flow best when they are based on mutual trust. The social fabric breaks down when people can’t trust each other. Distrust creates a society in which everyone is a potential foe. In addition, trust is the cornerstone of the economy. Economic transactions grind to a halt without trust. One economist offers the example of wholesale diamond traders, who give jewelers bags of uncut diamonds to examine. If the trader doesn’t trust the
...more
