The Handbook of Public Sector Communication

Part IVPublic Sector Communication and Citizens

Karen B. Sanders

Introduction

Since the beginning of the twenty‐first century, votes for populist parties and leaders have tripled across Europe: around 7% of European citizens voted for populists in 2,000 compared to one in four voters by the close of 2018 (Lewis, Clarke, Barr, Holder, & Kommenda, 2018). Populist leaders now head their respective governments in Brazil, the Philippines, and the United States. The democratic triumph of populist leaders and causes, notably the 2016 election of Donald Trump and the victory of Brexit in the UK referendum of the same year, point toward a deep citizen disengagement from and dissatisfaction with mainstream politics and governments. This is borne out by global surveys that show a decrease in trust in the political system that is particularly acute in the west. The Edelman, 2017 Trust Barometer reported that 85% of what is defined as the mass population—those with relatively lower levels of income and education—distrust the establishment (media, politics, and experts) as against 15% of the informed public (Edelman Trust Barometer, 21 January 2017). These figures continued virtually unchanged in 2018 apart from some increase in trust in experts and greater distrust of the media (Edelman Trust Barometer, 21 January 2018). Collapsing levels of trust and bewilderment about where truth can be found should concern us all (D'Ancona, 2016). One of Confucius's most well‐known sayings is that there ...