In this chapter I begin my diagnosis of different experiential aspects of political poverty by discussing loss of trust. I present examples of how repeated experiences of humiliation and disappointment can cause persons to approach society as a place one does not belong to. This results in an attitude of distrust toward politics and institutions that makes it hard to perceive political participation as a meaningful possibility in one’s own life, despite being presented with opportunities for such. I then discuss the view that distrust is an integral part of democratic politics. However, such distrust is predicated on a prior sense of ontological security and an atmosphere of generalized or fundamental trust that allows one to “proffer” oneself to others in political action. I argue for the view that trust is a way of perceiving the social world as a field which solicits one’s engagement and participation. Loss of such trust is experienced as the closing down of horizons for political engagement.