By Lee H. Hamilton

Americans trust each other less than we used to, and that’s creating problems for our ability to govern ourselves. Ultimately, it raises questions about the future of our democracy.

A recent report from the Pew Research Center explains the dilemma. Trust, it says, is “the oil that lubricates the frictions of daily life.” We need trust to work together to solve problems. It keeps the economy functioning. It makes it easier to get along with neighbors. People who trust others are more likely to help strangers and volunteer to support the common good.

But surveys show that trust has been eroding for years. A generation or so ago, about half of Americans said in surveys that most people can be trusted. In recent years, the share who say most people can be trusted has drop

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