Over fifty percent of individuals surveyed in three Michigan locales assert that crucial events transpire without public awareness—a sentiment of governmental skepticism closely linked to conspiratorial ideation, as per a University of Michigan policy document.

The research conducted by the Michigan Metro Area Communities Study, backed by the Center for Racial Justice at U-M’s Ford School of Public Policy, investigates the extent of governmental mistrust in Flint, Grand Rapids, and Ypsilanti.

Previous studies have indicated that mistrust in government correlates with race and educational attainment. While this study confirms this correlation, it also highlights a novel reason for the relationship: proximity to, and acquaintance with, governmental harms.

Populations that have endured systemic injustices—often along racial and economic lines—are more prone to adopt cynical perspectives regarding both local and federal authorities.

“For many, this skepticism is rooted in historical experiences endured by their communities, including the Flint water crisis and the U.S. Public Health Service Untreated Syphilis Study at Tuskegee,” stated Franshelly Martínez-Ortiz, a PhD candidate in political science and public policy who contributed to the report.

The results indicate that for many individuals, skepticism towards government is not merely due to paranoia or insufficient education, but rather a reaction to personal experiences of systemic inequity. This erosion of trust has concrete implications: Those exhibiting lower governmental suspicion were significantly more inclined to endorse vaccinations (98% vs. 80%) and to express intentions to participate in the November 2024 elections (87% vs. 71%).

“Acknowledging the ramifications of historical injustices is essential for promoting democratic engagement and public confidence in governmental institutions,” remarked Mara Cecilia Ostfeld, research director at the Center for Racial Justice.