A substantial breakdown in social trust is possible over the next decade. Trends and events that impact the interpersonal, economic, and political aspects of society could cause this breakdown due to their effect on social capital. This type of breakdown is more likely to occur in societies with thinner layers of social capital than in societies with thicker layers.
Social capital is the cohesiveness required for societies to function. It includes how members of societies interact and cooperate with one another, especially strangers; the strength of their identification with society; the existence of shared values, norms, and understanding; and social trust. These elements of social capital are interrelated. For example, as interaction and cooperation decline, there is a lower possibility that members of society will have a shared identity. With decreased interaction and cooperation and a diminished shared identity across society, trust between people begins to break down. And it works the other way as the resulting reduction in social trust will cause people to interact and cooperate even less. On a positive note, the inverse is possible as well. Increased interactions can create a stronger identification with society, and this can strengthen social trust. Read more: https://www.apf.org/post/how-might-a-breakdown-of-social-trust-come-about.