Seneca said in his Moral Epistles (III) that "it is a vice to trust anyone, as much as to trust no one". Lack of trust makes the pillars that support society become fragile and pessimism spreads. The Dictionary of the Royal Academy of the language defines confidence as "firm hope that one has of something". The hopeful context of confidence contrasts with the social climate and public opinion.

Uncertainty, fear and even hatred are widespread emotions. The generalization of mistrust leads to situations where discouragement and paralysis infect the economic, social and political environment. This is the context I have just described in the book Crisis of Trust (2007-2022). El descrédito de los medios (Pamplona: EUNSA, 2022).

One of the benchmarks in the study of trust is the Edelman Barometer, which has been presented on the occasion of the Davos economic summit since 2000. report The survey surveyed 32,000 people in 28 countries on five continents.

In 2022, the Barometer alluded to the growing obligations of companies. Their duties were increasing as a consequence of the leadership crisis of governments. Trust in companies (61%) exceeded that of NGOs (59%) and governments (52%). Respondents trusted their employer (77%) more than other institutions.

Citizens said they would buy and support brands that match their principles (58%). They were looking for work sites of agreement with their convictions (60%) and were willing to invest in brands and companies in line with their beliefs and values (64%). For 88% of institutional investors, ESG factors (environmental, social and governance) should receive as much attention from companies as finance or operations.

The 2023 edition of the Barometer builds on several ideas that appeared in 2022. Companies improve their score in ethics for the third consecutive year and are the only institution considered both ethical and competent. There is a gap of up to 11 points between trust in companies (62%) and trust in governments (51%).

The report sample a collapse in economic optimism. Only 40% of respondents say they and their families will be better off in five years' time, down ten points from 2022. In 21 of the 28 countries, confidence is mixed. There is a gap between "winners" and "losers," with perceptions differing by income level.

The Barometer considers polarization to be severe in six countries: Argentina, Colombia, Spain, the United States, Sweden and South Africa. Eight others - Germany, Japan, Italy, Mexico, South Korea, France, the United Kingdom and Brazil - are also at risk of reaching that level.

Suspicion of governments, lack of shared identity, systemic inequality, economic pessimism, social fears and distrust of the media are the drivers of polarization.

The report highlights the tendency for ideology to become identity. Those who are willing to collaborate with people with different visions are clearly in the minority. Deepening divisions tend to weaken the social fabric, which no longer serves as a basis for unity.

65% of global respondents say that the lack of civility and mutual respect is now the greatest they have seen in their lifetime. For 62%, the social fabric that traditionally held countries together has become too weak to serve as a foundation for unity and the common good.

Citizens think that not addressing divisions has consequences. The five most cited are worsening prejudice and discrimination; slowing down the economic development ; the possibility of violence in the streets; inability to meet social challenges; and damage to personal finances.

The media are also responsible for the confrontational scenario described in report. In status of financial panic, media companies, in need of audience and with difficulties aggravated by the pandemic and the subsequent economic crisis, look for quick solutions, appeal to partisanship or fall into clickbait. This context has not served to improve economic results in the media and causes distrust, disinterest and news fatigue among audiences.

In her excellent book Who Can You Trust? ( 2017), Rachel Botsman explained that, like energy, trust is neither created nor destroyed, it is transformed. Widespread distrust in social institutions is not accompanied by distrust in other instances. At report, trust is linked to proximity: those who work with me, neighbors, the leader of my business, people in one's own community or one's own country.

The report also highlights scientists and professors as trustworthy sources. Moreover, as Airbnb, BlaBlaCar or Uber demonstrate, technology is facilitating new modes of trust.

The difficulties for coexistence, fears and pessimism that can be glimpsed in the Barometer's data are disturbing. An election year awaits us in Spain, a time that is not usually favorable for thinking about the common good. But the results of the promotion of polarization and partisanship are not being good, neither for the political class nor for the media.

The responsibility of companies seems greater every day, but it is not clear that they are prepared for the high expectations they arouse. The Barometer indicates a significant fracturing of the social fabric. It is now up to all of us to build an ecosystem where it is possible to breathe.