[medo-bear]

from my personal experience people in the east (and perhaps south) usually look at their rep dem system much more cynically than people in the west (and north). and this attitude is very much reinforced by american patriotism freedom and democracy myth-making. i find its achievements absolutely amazing. how indigenous people and those that not that long ago were subdued into slavery can now be patriotic to the same flag that brought them so much misery is baffling to me

[iostream24]

Well, if you are ultimately responsible for your own government and it’s mess, you realize that it’s a losing proposition to simply be cynical about your government.

Maybe it’s time to fix your government instead of acting disengaged and cynical?

In other news: people in corrupt places have low faith in their systems.

America certainly has its problems and corruption, but if you look at what are considered the least corrupt nations on earth, say Finland, you find higher trust in society and government etc.

So I’ll contend that trauma traumatizes people, aka you are stating a tautology

[iostream24]

Also, your observations about “east” fail to account for places like Japan, South Korea, and in terms of trust, I think you find high trust in places like Singapore, but only from a certain set of empowered locals, ditto Dubai… But your intended generalism is perhaps Eastern Europe?

[unclebucknasty]

EDIT: Earnestness of previous reply underestimated parent commenter's commitment to cynicism. Deleted.

[medo-bear]

ok