Managing Distrust in Law and Politics

At the root of our institutions of law and governance is the implicit acknowledgment that human beings are intelligent and resourceful, yet selfish and flawed. A sustainable social model requires a balance between the creative and destructive aspects of the human character. As such, it is not enough that the judiciary be independent, or that politicians be elected. For these systems to survive and prosper, the public must be reassured that they are operating in ways that manage the human tendency to act in self-interest. Paramount in this process is the cultivation of trust, and the management of distrust, in those institutions.