Race & Political Trust: Justice as a Unifying Influence on Political Trust

Abstract Americans’ trust in government is lower than ever. However, while all groups have seen a decline since the 1960s, gap between racial and ethnic minorities Whites this period has varied not only size but also direction. At times, actually had higher rates of Whites, contradicting broad assumptions research about race political trust. Explanations causes that emphasize institutional experience early socialization would predict outcome. We propose an underutilized component study perceived justice. On one hand, minorities’ sensitivity to injustice often leads other when perceive there are greater opportunities for progress, which signal widespread harm can be repaired, their tends increase, sometimes levels exceed those Whites. The interplay realities shape justice as well hope progress likely creates variable longitudinal patterns differences