Research Colloquium: Trust and Welfare

Mrs Kristina Tolinsson Ting
PhD Candidate

Date: 30 April 2012 (Monday)
Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Venue: KK Leung Room 1105

Abstract:
The sustainability of the Nordic Model of welfare, characterized by extensive social responsibility and equality, has been explained by high levels of social trusts. Social trust is also correlated to a wide range of positive outcomes in social, political and economical fields and current research indicates that trusting societies do better. Trust is a valuable asset for societies seeking cohesion but the causal direction between trust and welfare policies is not verified and different approaches exist seeking to explain if trust is a prerequisite of welfare or if welfare creates trust. I will discuss some tentative findings indicating that trust can be created and that the Nordic Model generates trust by its institutional design.

* All students taking the Research Colloquium course must attend. Other staff and students are also welcome.