Trust Cooperation and Development

Public policy political science economics and public discourse often emphasize the importance of trust and its association with economic development and growth. Despite this there is limited knowledge about how trust operates or is established. Since Arrow's work in 1974 trust has been recognized as a critical element in social systems serving as a lubricant to facilitate their functioning. Trust and cooperation are essential for social systems to operate. To realize the benefits of trust and cooperation we need practical tools and mechanisms to build them at the local community level. This is essential to promote development from within. In recent years there has been a clear awareness of the world’s “common boat”. No one is in isolation and everyone seeks news of others out of fear or care. The question is “how would such awareness translate and transform into sustainable social institutions? In other words what mechanisms are needed for such a transition to take place? This will not happen without an effort to put our theory into practice; this is the object of this book.