ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the decline of trust in the European Union (EU) since the late 2000s. It argues that there is a clear asymmetry or imbalance between the forces fostering mistrust on one hand and the forces re-building trust on the other hand. The financial and euro crisis has "undermined trust between states and generated mutual fear and suspicion. While observers disagree in their assessment of the underlying causes, there is substantial agreement that the crisis has prompted a dramatic decline in trust in the EU and its institutions. Understandably, trust in the EU has declined among those who have been hurt by the euro crisis and harsh austerity measures. The forces eroding trust include the euro and refugee crisis, the democratic and knowledge deficit, the EU's technocracy and complexity, and the ongoing march of capitalism and rationalization.
