The Culture of Peace, Trust vs. Distrust

“Trust must give us peace.”

Simon Bolivar

I. Trust is believing or wanting that a person or group will act or react in a certain way to a defined situation or actions.

It is an attitude toward the future, insofar as that future depends on one's own actions, those of another person, or those of a group or authority. Therefore, in its study, there are three distinct scenarios: the first refers to oneself; another to an interpersonal perspective; and the third to a collective perspective.

Self-confidence is the belief in one's own abilities, capabilities, and judgment.

Trust in another involves believing in another person's integrity, honesty, and good intentions, believing that they will act appropriately in various situations, even in a vulnerable position.

Collective or generalized trust is conferred on other members of society. It refers to the shared belief that they can be counted on to act responsibly and reliably, fulfilling their commitments and supporting each other. To earn or maintain collective trust, leaders, governors, or authorities must demonstrate honesty, transparency, and accountability.

Society, the social fabric, citizens, and the people need to have confidence in their leaders and vice versa.

Governments require the trust of the public, so it is not a coincidence that the president asks the public to trust her and her government, although she intends for that trust to be blind, like the one given to her by the ruling party legislators.

II. Distrust is a feeling of trust and arises when the doubt that invades us stems from the suspicion that a person or group of people affect us through their actions or omissions, or honesty dissipates and deception appears in their conduct, it also appears in situations and even in the use of objects.

There are many examples of mistrust; let's discuss some of the most striking.

The previous administration flaunted distrust of the civilian population, particularly business leaders and the middle class. Three examples: 1. Private enterprise was replaced by assigning infrastructure projects to the military; the operation of airports; the government airline; various tourism companies; and the operation of customs, among other civilian activities. This was detrimental to the responsibilities of the armed forces and to the transparency that should exist in public works and spending. 2. In the case of pharmaceutical laboratories, distrust derailed the supply of medicines, resulting in widespread shortages for public health services and thousands of deaths over the past seven years. 3. Distrust was also shown in the middle classes, and they were accused of wanting to succeed at all costs, as if the desire to improve personal and family living conditions were a sin. However, a good percentage of that class naively voted for the current president.

In authoritarian regimes, their governments and authorities distrust all citizens, as is already the case in Mexico. This distrust is evident in the recent amendments to the Mexican legal framework, which grant the government absolute control to subjugate citizens and impose censorship, among other things.

It's very likely that public perceptions of the president's administration and the government will decline in popularity and turn into distrust as a result, among other things, of the recently approved collection of legal provisions pushed by the president, which will make it possible to access the savings of INFONAVIT workers; grant the government absolute control to monitor citizens in various aspects of their daily lives; increase militarization; impose censorship; and eliminate due process and the presumption of innocence, among other developments that put the freedom, privacy, and fundamental rights of all at risk.

It is worrisome that the United States government also distrusts the president and her co-religionists for various reasons, including judicial reform; the distortion of the separation of powers; the advance of censorship; and, most importantly, the lack of effective progress in combating accomplices and politicians who protect or are associated with criminal groups, among other factors.

Furthermore, the president has failed to consider the consequences of her statements, witticisms, and lies in her morning monologues. All of this has put us on the list of adversaries of the world's greatest military power.

III. In the face of distrust, it is necessary to consider, if possible, the options that may arise to prepare and protect oneself.

For example, organizing to eliminate and prevent the measures promoted by the regime, which have been enshrined in legal provisions and are leading us to ruin. We will all lose because we are subjected to the control and manipulation of consciences for the sake of a greater concentration of governmental power, to the detriment of the country, its social fabric, and our future.

It is urgent that citizens awaken from their lethargy and apathy. Furthermore, it seems that the opposition political parties are not being counted on, whose leaders lack prestige, trust, and social support and only look out for their personal interests, ignoring their constituents and the people. It is time for them to act appropriately and work to reorganize civil society to oppose the excesses of authoritarianism and regain a majority in the next legislative session.

It cannot be ignored that the president, her government, and her co-religionists have chosen to burn bridges instead of engaging in dialogue; to spy instead of listening; to polarize instead of reconcile; to impose instead of negotiate; and to censor.

The opportunity to advance national development for economic recovery and political stabilization, and improve the conditions for real well-being for all, will only be possible if trust is restored.

* The author is a lawyer, negotiator and mediator.

X: @Phmergoldd

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