本期 Hidden Forces 播客邀请了哲学家 Kevin Vallier，探讨了政治极化与社会信任之间的关系。Vallier 认为，近年来美国社会政治极化加剧，主要原因是社会信任度的下降。他指出，重建社会和政治信任是缓解政治极化的关键。播客还探讨了信任度下降的原因和后果，以及在个人和社会层面上重建信任的具体措施。

🤔 **信任度下降与政治极化之间的相互影响:** Vallier 指出，信任度下降与政治极化之间存在着相互影响的关系。一方面，政治极化会导致人们对政府和社会制度的信任度下降，进而加剧政治极化。另一方面，信任度下降会导致人们更容易相信阴谋论，进而加剧政治极化。

🤝 **重建社会和政治信任的必要性:** Vallier 强调，重建社会和政治信任是缓解政治极化的关键。他认为，重建信任需要从个人和社会两个层面着手。在个人层面上，人们需要更加开放地倾听不同意见，并努力与不同观点的人进行沟通。在社会层面上，政府需要采取措施，重建人们对政府和社会制度的信任。

📈 **社会信任度下降的原因:** Vallier 分析了社会信任度下降的原因，包括经济不平等、社会流动性下降、媒体的负面报道、以及社交媒体的兴起。他认为，这些因素导致了人们对社会和政治制度的信任度下降，进而加剧了政治极化。

⚠️ **政治暴力与阴谋论的兴起:** 播客还探讨了近年来政治暴力和阴谋论的兴起。Vallier 认为，政治暴力和阴谋论的兴起与社会信任度下降密切相关。当人们对政府和社会制度失去信任时，他们更容易相信阴谋论，并更容易诉诸暴力。

💡 **重建信任的具体措施:** Vallier 提出了重建信任的具体措施，包括加强公民教育、促进社会对话、改善媒体报道、以及加强政府透明度。他认为，这些措施可以帮助重建人们对政府和社会制度的信任，进而缓解政治极化。

In Episode 175 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Kevin Vallier, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Bowling Green State University, whose interests lie primarily in political philosophy, ethics, philosophy of religion, and economics.   

In his latest book, “Trust in a Polarized Age,” Kevin draws on empirical data and liberal political philosophy to demonstrate that rising levels of political polarization can be largely attributed to a multi-decade decline in trust. If we want to reduce political polarization, argues Kevin, “we have to start by rebuilding social and political trust.” While this may seem like a tall order during a time in which Americans are less trusting than at any point since at least the 1960’s when measurements began, the situation is not hopeless. 

In this conversation we discuss the causes and consequences of declining social and political trust, the two-way relationship between trust and polarization, and what sorts of practical steps can be taken at both an individual and societal level to begin to restore faith in each other and in our political and legal institutions.  

In the overtime, Kevin and Demetri touch on a number of timely topics, including concerns about domestic terrorism and the parallels that can be drawn between the early 1990’s and today. One of the more interesting parts of the discussion deals with the “mainstreaming” so to speak, of conspiracy theory. Unlike in the early 1990’s where domestic terror groups and individuals were motivated primarily by extreme ideological beliefs, those being monitored today, some of which were involved in the attack on the US Capitol building, combine political violence with mainstream views that are shared by a significant percentage of the American people.

You can access the second part of this conversation, as well as the transcript and rundown to this week’s episode through the Hidden Forces Patreon Page. All subscribers gain access to our overtime feed, which can be easily added to your favorite podcast application.

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Producer & Host: Demetri Kofinas

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Episode Recorded on 01/12/2021