Social Class—Not Income Inequality—Predicts Social and Institutional Trust

Trust is the social glue that holds society together. The academic consensus trust weaker among lower-class individuals and in unequal regions/countries, which often considered a threat to healthy society. However, existing studies are inconsistent have two limitations: (i) variability measurement of class (ii) small numbers higher level units (regions/countries). We addressed these problems using large-scale (cross-)national representative surveys (encompassing 560,000+ participants from 1,500+ regional/national units). Multilevel analysis led consistent sets findings. First, effects on were systematically positive, whereas institutional depended way was measured. Second, income inequality nonsignificant smaller than smallest negative effect interest. Our findings suggest researchers need update their knowledge: class—not inequality—predicts trust.