High trust societies don't "just happen" they happen because sociological...
High trust societies don't "just happen" they happen because sociological mechanisms evolve to enable it. If you pretend you are in a high trust society & a high trust situation without such mechanisms in place, you will be ripped off.
Can you afford to be ripped off? Few people and orgs are in a situation where they afford to be ripped off.
Anyhow, "just blindly trust everyone because distrust is bad" isn't a solution.
Self-replies
Trust building mechanisms that don't just happen because we blindly trust everyone:
- checking references when hiring someone
- credentials (do you just trust your doctor or do you expect the gov't to issue a license to practice medicine?)
- demonstrations of progress (you just trust your contractors or do you want to see some results every few weeks?)
The cost of failed trust mechanisms is staggering. Blind trust is free until it isn't.
People reacting rationally to the risks & costs of trust being betrayed isn't a sign of their moral failings (My boss asked me to substantiate my time card, what a capitalistic demon! what a toxic work environment! Don't they realize how harmful low-trust is for collaboration and comradery?) No, this is what you do when you aren't hiring personal friends and family. Trust & verify & everyone reaps the benefits of being able work together because people can create trust without just demanding it