Most standards for “high trust society” are astonishingly low.
Respect for private property rights? A court system that’s broadly seen as following the law? Elections where the outcomes are not disputed? Officials not soliciting or accepting bribes from normal citizens? High trust society.
The UK certainly has its problems, but the tricks are often technically legal, and they’re nowhere near as bad as in third world countries.
A high trust society is not only a measure of the relationship between civil population and the state, but also the interpersonal relationships among citizens.
Respect for private property rights? A court system that’s broadly seen as following the law? Elections where the outcomes are not disputed? Officials not soliciting or accepting bribes from normal citizens? High trust society.
The UK certainly has its problems, but the tricks are often technically legal, and they’re nowhere near as bad as in third world countries.