TRUST AND DISTRUST IN REGULATORY REGIMES AND REGULATORY AUTHORITIES (policy brief)
From The Embassy of Good Science
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TRUST AND DISTRUST IN REGULATORY REGIMES AND REGULATORY AUTHORITIES (policy brief)
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What is this about?
This policy brief presents the main findings of the TiGRE project, an EU-funded study on trust and distrust in regulatory regimes. It explores how citizens, regulators, courts, media, businesses, and civil society interact in areas such as food safety, data protection, and finance across nine countries. The policy brief shows that trust in regulatory authorities is generally stronger than often assumed. It also explains that distrust can play a constructive role when it encourages accountability and oversight. Overall, the policy brief argues that a balanced combination of trust and watchfulness helps regulatory systems work better, remain legitimate, and protect the public effectively.
Why is this important?
This report is important because it challenges the idea that trust in public regulation is simply declining. It shows that effective governance depends not on blind trust, but on balanced “watchful trust” supported by accountability, participation, and communication. These findings matter for improving public confidence, regulatory performance, crisis response, and stakeholder inclusion. It also offers practical recommendations for regulators and affected groups to strengthen legitimacy and compliance in democratic systems.
