THE CAUSES OF LOSING TRUST IN THE GOVERNMENT  IN RECENT YEARS IN ALBANIA

Anisa Proda

doi:10.12955/cbup.v4.783

Anisa Proda European University of Tirana, Tirana

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12955/cbup.v4.783

Keywords: trust, government, citizens, institutions, social capital

Abstract

As the last country in Europe to overthrow the communist regime, Albania has much to achieve in the legal system to build a full democracy. A government should be relied upon to create the necessary reforms to move a country out of transition. The governmental structure can either accelerate or prevent the country’s transition towards a market economy. The other pillar of society that reflects institutional performance is the country’s citizens. Trust is a factor that connects citizens with institutions. The main purpose of this research is to identify causes for citizens to lose their confidence in public institutions. The analysis, supported by quantitative data, aims to show the level of trust that citizens bestow to the most important Albanian public institutions. An Institution for Democracy and Mediation poll and this study’s results of meetings with focus groups were used to illustrate the public’s confidence in the governmental institutions, and to explore the causes of the citizen’s attitude towards the public institutions and their service in Albania.

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