Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

 Political Science Seminar Series

Prof. Eric Uslaner

 University of Maryland

       “Diversity, Segregation and Trust”

   Wednesday, January 4, 2012

  15.30-17.30

  FASS 2054

Abstract: Generalized trust is a value that leads to many positive outcomes for a society. Many analysts argue that trust is lower when we are surrounded by people who are different from ourselves. Residential segregation, not diversity is the culprit in lower levels of trust. Segregation is one of the key reasons why contact with people who are different from ourselves does not lead to greater trust. Diversity is a proxy for the minority share in a community and that: (1) segregation, especially in diverse communities, drives down trust more than diversity does; but (2) close personal ties in integrated diverse communities builds trust, but more so in the United States than in the United Kingdom, and more for majority white com- munities than for minorities.