Nepotism in Organizations and Society Leads to Lower Employee Trust, Lower Organizational Performance and a Toxic Workplace Culture

 Let’s talk about nepotism: putting your friends in positions, placing people from the same political party into jobs, or hiring people who may not be qualified simply because you believe they’ll do what you want them to do. You can find any example you think fits here and many people who have experience have seen this happen from time to time. 

This can occur in any organization, government, or group of people.

The best organizations are built around people who are capable of doing their jobs at the highest level of competence and integrity. They’ve earned their positions, they’re willing to serve, and they understand the mission of the organization. But the minute you start putting people into positions primarily because they benefit you (or group), rather than because they’re the best people for the job, it begins to have a warping effect.

It affects the workplace. It affects organizational performance. And eventually, it affects the employees themselves.

You can produce study after study showing the consequences, but that may not matter much when the people making the decisions are viewing the world and their responsibilities to others from a particular vantage point. That’s why checks and balances matter. Hiring committees, human resources, transparent selection processes, and objective qualifications can help prevent one person from simply surrounding themselves with people who are loyal to them.

The risks to the organization, fulfillment of mission, and stakeholders is apparent and well known. 

Think about it from an investor’s perspective. If the people running an organization are primarily taking care of themselves, they’re no longer fully focused on the mission. That sends a message to employees: your performance isn’t necessarily about advancing the organization or serving its mission. It’s about pleasing the insiders.

I saw an example of this a long time ago. There was a boss who clearly should never have been in the position they held. They weren’t qualified, but they knew how to say the right things and get themselves into the position. Then they changed. Once there, they were highly manipulative. They put friends into positions, took credit for other people’s work, and tried to remove anyone who disagreed with them.

They weren’t looking for organizational performance. They were looking for loyalty.

Eventually, the complaints became so numerous that the organization had no choice but to act. There were lawsuits and formal complaints, and ultimately that person was removed. But the damage had already been done. Exceptional people left the organization. Morale suffered. And a lot of problems developed simply because there weren’t enough checks and balances to challenge that person’s behavior. If they did their job the first time that person would not have been hired. 

The people who disagreed with them were simply pushed out. And it worked for a long time—until it became a legal problem.

But when you’re dealing with government or large organizations, it shouldn’t have to get to the legal stage. The question shouldn’t be, “Can we get away with this?” The question should be, “Who is best positioned to serve the organization, the public, stakeholders and its mission?”

And the people involved in making those decisions shouldn’t simply fall in line because someone wants a particular person appointed, hired, or promoted. Their stated and official responsibilities are much more than this. They should ask questions. They should challenge assumptions. They should make sure the person is actually the most qualified.

It doesn’t matter what the organization is, what position is being filled, what political party someone belongs to, who their friends are, or what their background is. If you build an organization around the best and brightest—and people know they can advance because of their effort, competence, and integrity—you develop human capital. People engage because they believe in the mission and the other people in the organization. 

People have an incentive to perform. They have an incentive to learn. They have an incentive to contribute. And they know that their future isn’t dependent on knowing the right person.

You can look at the research yourself and draw your own conclusions. Apparently, science isn’t always the only consideration when these decisions are made. There are plenty of other factors—personal relationships, loyalty, self-interest, and sometimes just plain politics.

Science is useful. It helps us make better decisions. But every situation is unique, and judgment still matters.

The problem is when someone’s “best judgment” consistently means taking care of oneself.

At that point, it isn’t just a bad hiring decision. It becomes a detriment to everyone else in the organization.

And that’s something worth thinking about. But alas it still happens in organizations and eventually the natural systems catch up. That is why you need leaders in positions that are capable of functioning within that position in both skill and moral concious. Duty is a sacred trust (Keep that trust word in mind because it does impact human capital and performance in the long run.)

The Relationship Between Nepotism and Employee Performance

• The study concludes that nepotism has a negative relationship with employee performance; employees who perceive favoritism tend to report lower motivation, commitment, and performance.
• Nepotism reduces perceptions of organizational justice, particularly when promotions, rewards, and hiring decisions appear to be based on family or personal relationships rather than merit.
• The study identifies lower job satisfaction, reduced organizational commitment, distrust, jealousy, and increased turnover as important consequences associated with nepotistic practices.
• A quantitative study cited in the review found that the relationship between perceived favoritism and employee performance was negative and significant; organizational justice, trust, and organizational support helped explain or mitigate this relationship.
• The authors recommend transparent hiring, objective competency criteria, merit-based promotions and rewards, independent HR practices, and leadership training to reduce nepotism and improve employee performance.

Şeker, C., & Karadayı, D. (2024). The relationship between nepotism and employee performance. New Era International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Researches, 9(26), 107–113. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14552806

The Impact of Nepotism and Corruption on the Economy

• 80% of respondents said nepotism negatively affects the economy, while only 10% viewed it positively and 10% were neutral.
• 90% believed nepotism contributes to the employment of unqualified or unprofessional individuals.
• 80% said nepotism influences the hiring or promotion of relatives in important sectors, while 60% said employment is difficult without outside or political support.
• 90% viewed corruption as a threat to democratic institutions, and 100% said corruption inhibits or undermines economic development.
• 80% believed corruption contributes to the loss of domestic and foreign investors and increases economic uncertainty; 100% said corruption and nepotism negatively affect justice institutions.

Gjinovci, A. (2016). The impact of nepotism and corruption on the economy and HR. Economic and Environmental Studies, 16(3), 421–434. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360889979_THE_IMPACT_OF_NEPOTISM_AND_CORRUPTION_IN_THE_ECONOMY

US Global Science, Technology and Innovation 2026-Broad Based Builds Innovative Societies

Innovation is the name of the game. Innovation and manufacturing are a powerful combination when it comes to growing and developing an economy. Innovation and ability quickly bring new ideas to the market, produce them in the US, will have an impact on long term health. 

Innovation comes from human capital—the ability to create new ideas, solve problems, and look at things differently. Major technological advances, from the printing press to AI, have repeatedly increased our capacity to produce and create. What we do with that increased capacity is up to us.

We need to foster innovation broadly by giving people opportunities, reducing barriers such as discrimination, and making sure more people can participate in the economy—and share in its rewards.

America is moving along, but long-term success requires broad-based innovation. That means creating an environment where people can start businesses, develop ideas, take risks, and be rewarded for their contributions.

After all, many great companies started in garages and basements before becoming major industries. We need more people doing that—starting things, building things, and creating the next generation of industries. Keep plugging away; innovation is how we keep moving forward.

Translation to Impact: U.S. and Global Science, Technology, and Innovation Output

• Science, technology, and innovation generate economic value by translating research and knowledge into new products, services, technologies, companies, productivity gains, and trade.
• The economic benefits of research can take years to materialize. One estimate cited by the report suggests that each $1 of R&D investment can generate approximately $5–$10 in economy-wide benefits, often with a 3–6 year delay.
• Technology-intensive industries are becoming increasingly important to global economic competitiveness. In 2024, knowledge- and technology-intensive (KTI) industries generated $11.7 trillion in global value added, with the United States accounting for $3.3 trillion, or 28% of the global total.
• The United States maintains important advantages in high-impact innovation. U.S. patents were more likely than Chinese and EU-27 patents to rank among the world's top 1% most highly cited patents across several critical technologies, including AI, quantum information science, and biotechnology.
• China has become a major competitor, particularly in technology-intensive manufacturing and patents. China led the world in KTI manufacturing value added in 2024, while the United States remained particularly strong in aerospace, medical instruments, pharmaceuticals, and other high-value industries.

National Science Board. (2026). Translation to impact: U.S. and global science, technology, and innovation output. National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics. https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb20262

National Debt Adds $21K per Household in Last Year to Reach $39.83 Trillion (A Conversation on Spending and Opportunities)

Shocker! Breaking news! Stop the presses! The national debt is high again.

(The following is meant to be a little wry to sort of see if that can get the point across on the importance of working together.)

We just reached $39.83 trillion. And, just to add a little excitement to everyone’s other financial problems, we added about $8,420 per person this year. That works out to roughly $21,361 per household.

Just this year.

(Illustrative Only)
Also meant to be
a little wry. 😐

Sam shows him
his decades
of calloused hands and says.
"If you put your book 
smarks together and come up 
with a good idea, and
use skilled labor
to create those new things,
you might be able to claw
your way out of debt
 and discover
new opportunities on 
your journey." 

He thinks for a moment,

"The way our grand pappy's
and maammy's did it
just before we took
their farms squashed
their businesses to make
some rich, and
short changed their
downtowns. Brains
and Brawns can 
be a good team again.

We just need some smart 
young talent to engage in
the effort"

(in theory. or maybe not? 🤷)

But don’t worry! No need to panic. We’re on the path. Apparently, we’ve been on the path for quite a while. We just haven’t changed direction very much. And, honestly, we’re not entirely sure where the path is going.

So maybe it’s time to go back to some basic principles of financial management.

We need everybody on the same team—not the partisan team, but the “let’s actually solve the problem” team. We need people sitting down together and coming up with solutions instead of spending all their energy explaining why the other side is the problem.

Because there are ways to address this.

We can create greater efficiency and effectiveness in our institutions. We can reduce unnecessary costs while increasing opportunity and wealth creation. We can improve the systems that businesses and people depend on.

And no, I don’t think we can simply tax or tariff our way out of this. We can’t finance our way out of it either by piling more debt on top of the old debt and giving it a different name. Younger debt, older debt—it’s still debt.

Eventually, the fundamentals matter.

You have to make more than you spend. If you consistently spend more than you make, eventually the bill comes due. And in our case, we’re not only dealing with this year’s bill; we’re also carrying decades of bills that nobody really wanted to deal with.

So, yes, we have a problem.

But we also have opportunities.

We can strengthen small businesses. We can attract new investment. We can make better use of our infrastructure and integrate it more effectively with the businesses and communities that depend on it (Infrastructure Synergy). We can make smarter, longer-term decisions about where we invest our resources.

Most importantly, we need to become better at making decisions.

Right now, we spend an awful lot of time fighting, bashing each other, and proving that our side is right. Meanwhile, the debt meter keeps running.

Maybe we should try something radical: solve the problem.

Not Republican solutions. Not Democratic solutions.

Solutions that actually work.

Because $39.83 trillion is a pretty big number. And unfortunately, it doesn't appear to care which political party gets credit—or blame—for it.

Anyway, read it yourself. The numbers are worth paying attention to.

U.S. National Debt Reaches $39.83 Trillion

• The U.S. national debt reached $39.83 trillion on August 7, 2026, an increase of $2.88 trillion from one year earlier and $11.40 trillion from five years earlier.
• Over the past year, the debt increased by an average of $7.91 billion per day, or approximately $91,549 per second.
• The additional debt over the past year represents about $8,420 per person and $21,361 per household; total debt equals approximately $116,480 per person and $295,494 per household.
• If the recent pace of debt growth continues, the national debt is projected to reach $40 trillion around August 31, 2026—less than a month away.
• Rising interest costs are becoming an increasing concern. The average interest rate on marketable debt reached 3.443%, while net interest is projected to consume nearly 15% of federal outlays by FY2028.

Joint Economic Committee. (2026, August 7). National debt reaches $39.83 trillion, increased $2.88 trillion year over year increasing at an average rate of $91,549 per second. U.S. Congress. https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/republicans/newsroom?ID=67C58929-D721-46E8-AB99-FC03177B09FC

 

The Health and Economic Benefits of Producing and Selling Local Food-Supply Chain Resilience

Local food is vital, and it’s becoming increasingly important. The challenge is finding good statistics on just how much of our food supply actually comes from local sources. I looked around, and while I wasn’t going to spend 40 hours digging through every possible report—because eventually you have to come up for air—I did want to get a general idea. The data suggests that only around 3% of U.S. agricultural sales come through local food markets. That number is both interesting and a little concerning.

(Illustrative Only)

Joe's horse
is good on gas,
only needs to go 5 miles to
be in the country, 
and many times he
sells much of his stuff
on the way. 
....and he built
his house.
Yep in the plan. 

COVID-19 gave us a real-world reminder of how vulnerable distribution systems can become. When people started worrying about grocery shortages and supply chain disruptions, it highlighted the importance of having multiple sources of food. A healthy balance—just throwing out a number—might be something like 50% of food coming from local and regional sources and 50% coming through larger national distribution channels. That type of diversity could make our food system more resilient if a disease outbreak, transportation problem, or other disruption affected one part of the country.

Local food also matters because it keeps money circulating in rural communities. We have many rural areas with unused farmland and declining populations, yet we have not always created the policies needed to help smaller producers compete. A small farmer trying to compete with massive agricultural operations faces a difficult challenge. Local stores can help bridge that gap. Here in Escanaba, businesses like Elmer’s, Escanaba Farmer's Market, Gladstones Farmer's Market and other retailers that bring local products onto their shelves are helping build that connection between producers and consumers.

There is also a health component. Food that is grown locally often travels a shorter distance, which can mean fresher products and better nutritional value. Large-scale food production and processing can sometimes reduce nutrients through harvesting practices, storage, and processing methods. When you know where your food comes from—and you know someone down the road grew it—it changes your relationship with what you eat. Compare that with grabbing a bag of chips from the shelf; convenient, yes, but probably not something anyone would put on a nutrition poster.

Over the past few years, I’ve been trying to eat healthier because I understand the importance of reducing unnecessary additives and improving overall nutrition. With my fitness trainer and yoga instructor certifications, I’ve become more interested in how food connects to health. If anyone wants some virtual fitness help, send me a message and we can set something up. muradabel@gmail.com

Supporting local food systems is about more than vegetables at a farmers market. It’s about creating opportunities that bring younger generations back to agriculture, strengthen rural economies, and improve food security.

I’ve been experimenting with this idea myself. As I get closer to retirement, I’ve considered buying a small piece of land—maybe a couple of acres, maybe 10 or 20 depending on what makes sense (and my tiny budget)—and growing some of my own food. Right now, I’m testing things out with potatoes, onions, and carrots. One thing I’ve learned: when you grow organically, you don’t always get those massive yields you see from industrial farming. My potatoes aren’t winning any county fair competitions for size yet! But the tradeoff is that you’re working with the soil naturally and producing something you know exactly where it came from.

For a small local operation, you don’t need to compete with massive farms producing thousands of acres. You can focus on quality, community, and healthier food. It’s an experiment for now, and it may or may not become a future project, but it’s interesting to think about how small-scale agriculture could play a bigger role in strengthening our communities.

You may find the following two studies of interest. The last one is from 2017.

Health Benefits of Eating Locally

• Eating locally often means purchasing food produced within approximately 100–250 miles, supporting local farmers while strengthening regional food systems and rural economies.
• Fresh local produce is typically harvested closer to the time of sale, allowing fruits and vegetables to ripen naturally and retain more nutrients, flavor, and quality.
• Shorter supply chains reduce food handling and transportation, which may decrease the risk of contamination and lessen the need for preservatives and extensive packaging.
• Buying locally encourages healthier eating by increasing access to fresh, minimally processed foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber while reducing reliance on highly processed foods.
• Supporting local food systems also promotes community engagement through farmers markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA), and home gardening, while contributing to environmental sustainability and local economic development.

McCurdy, M. (2022, May 17). Health benefits of eating locally. University of New Hampshire Extension. https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2022/05/health-benefits-eating-locally

Local Food Sales Continue to Grow Through a Variety of Marketing Channels

• Local food sales represent a small but growing segment of the U.S. agricultural system. Sales of local edible farm products increased from $8.7 billion in 2015 to $11.8 billion in 2017, representing about 3% of total U.S. agricultural sales.
• Local food producers use multiple marketing channels, including farmers markets, farm stands, restaurants, grocery stores, schools, hospitals, wholesalers, and regional distributors.
• In 2015, the largest share of local food sales came through intermediate markets and institutions (39%), followed by direct-to-consumer sales (34%) and retail channels (27%).
• Growth in local food markets has increasingly shifted beyond farmers markets toward restaurants, grocery stores, institutions, and other intermediated channels that allow producers to reach larger customer bases.
• Local food systems contribute to rural economic development by providing income opportunities for farmers, supporting beginning and small-scale producers, and strengthening connections between producers and consumers.

Martinez, S. (2021, October 4). Local food sales continue to grow through a variety of marketing channels. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2021/october/local-food-sales-continue-to-grow-through-a-variety-of-marketing-channels

Employment in July 2026-Mixed but With Concerns (A Few Ideas on Improving Jobs and Communities)

The July 2026 Employment Situation Summary presents a mixed picture. There are some encouraging signs, but there are also trends that deserve our attention.

The labor market has cooled somewhat, and wage growth remains modest. Another concern is that some people are leaving the labor force altogether. That's an opportunity we shouldn't overlook (Remember in theory the concept of engagement, transactions, and efficiency. The Economy of Needs). We can strengthen our human capital by investing in workforce development, creating more jobs, and encouraging entrepreneurship. 

One of the best ways to support communities and local employment is by supporting small businesses and revitalizing our downtowns. Small businesses have long been an important source of job creation and innovation, but a healthy economy requires balance. We need strong small, medium-sized, and large businesses working together rather than focusing too heavily on the top (Hedging American Start-Ups)

I've been working on an article that explores why investing in local communities matters. Rebuilding downtown districts, attracting entrepreneurs, and helping new businesses grow can create jobs (Local Downtown Entrepreneurs), increase wages, and strengthen local economies for years to come.

There is also good news in the report. Manufacturing continues to add jobs, and that's an encouraging sign because manufacturing creates products, supports exports, and generates economic activity across many related industries.

Health care also continues to grow, which reflects the needs of an aging population. While health care is an essential industry and a major employer, long-term economic growth also depends on sectors that create new products, expand exports, and drive innovation. Manufacturing, technology, entrepreneurship, and other productive industries all play important roles in building broad-based prosperity.

At the same time, many families continue to struggle with the rising cost of health care. Medical advances have produced remarkable new treatments and technologies, but affordability remains a challenge for many Americans. As health care costs continue to increase, policymakers and industry leaders will need to explore ways to improve efficiency, encourage competition, and make quality care more affordable without sacrificing innovation.

Overall, the report reminds us that a strong economy isn't built on a single industry. It comes from investing in people, encouraging entrepreneurship, supporting businesses of every size (Be thoughtful about policies and who benefits.), and creating opportunities that allow communities to grow. If we continue moving in that direction, we can strengthen employment, raise wages, and build a more resilient economy for the future.

Employment Situation Summary (July 2026)

• Total nonfarm payroll employment declined by 23,000 jobs in July, marking an unexpected slowdown in the labor market after previous months' employment gains were revised downward.
• The unemployment rate edged down to 4.1%, largely because fewer people participated in the labor force rather than due to stronger hiring.
• Employment gains occurred in construction, manufacturing, and health care, while local government education, leisure and hospitality, retail trade, and financial activities experienced notable job losses.
• Average hourly earnings increased modestly over the year, with wage growth slowing to approximately 3.2%, suggesting continued moderation in labor cost pressures.
• The weaker-than-expected employment report reduced expectations of additional near-term Federal Reserve interest rate increases, as markets interpreted the data as evidence of a cooling labor market.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2026, August 7). Employment Situation Summary (July 2026). U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

Fish Jumping Acrylic Painting

 A number of years ago, I started painting simply because I love the ocean. Give me water, beaches, waves, boats—anything with a shoreline—and I'm happy. Naturally, that's what ended up on my canvas.

Now, let's be honest: I'm not the world's greatest painter. There isn't a committee as far as I know somewhere debating whether I'm the next Picasso. But art is in the eye of the beholder. Some people love a particular style, and some people wonder what on earth the artist was thinking. That's part of the fun.

Fortunately, a few people actually like my paintings, and every once in a while someone even buys one. Since it's just a hobby, I don't charge much. I enjoy creating them, experimenting, and hopefully getting a little better each time.

Of course, not every experiment is a masterpiece. I painted this tropical beach scene, and something just felt...empty. A friend looked at it and said, "You know what it needs? Some fish or dolphins in the middle." I figured, "Why not?" So I added a few fish. They're not exactly marine biology textbook material, but they do make the painting feel more alive. It's the first time I've tried this type of tropical style, so I'm calling it a successful experiment—even if the fish are still working on their modeling careers.

If you're interested, it's listed on eBay for about $80, but if you buy it directly from me, it's $75 with free shipping. I also donate a portion of the proceeds, so your purchase helps support a good cause.

And if you think it's overpriced...make me an offer! Right now, these paintings are just leaning against the wall waiting for someone to adopt them. I'd much rather they hang in someone's home than become very expensive firewood.

Who knows? Maybe someday they'll be worth millions. More likely they'll be worth...well...about what you paid for them. But every famous artist started somewhere, right? Today it's "local beach painter." Tomorrow? Tiny Picasso. Or at least "Picasso-ish."

Jumping Fish Painting eBay

$5 Discount Direct Purchase

or Make an Offer
muradabel@gmail.com

The National Concerns of Young People According to Poll-Hypothetical Feather Party

 Every generation inherits the responsibility of building a better future. Throughout history, societies have progressed because each generation has worked to create greater opportunities for the next. That process requires constant learning, adaptation, and a willingness to improve our institutions as new challenges emerge. The more young people engage, the faster the system adapts upward.

Surveys of younger Americans suggest they are deeply concerned about issues such as affordability, economic opportunity, trust in institutions, government accountability, foreign aid-conflict, and the long-term direction of the country. These concerns deserve thoughtful attention because today's young people will soon become tomorrow's leaders, workers, entrepreneurs, educators, and public servants.

The good news is that America has an incredible capacity for innovation and renewal. Across the country, communities are starting the process of revitalizing downtowns through encouraging entrepreneurship, supporting local businesses, expanding recreation, investing in education, creating opportunities for young people, and strengthening civic engagement. These local successes demonstrate that positive change is possible when people work together toward common goals. We can make change.

As organizations grow larger, it can become more difficult for leadership to remain closely connected to the everyday experiences of citizens (If they are concentrated into the elite we have a problem of true represenation.). That is why healthy democracies rely on continuous feedback, transparency, accountability, and civic participation (Why we protect freedom of speech; or at least should.) Like any successful organization, our public institutions should regularly evaluate what is working, correct what is not, and continually strive to serve the public more effectively.

Many of the ideas explored throughout this blog are presented as thought experiments rather than policy prescriptions. For example, the hypothetical "Feather Party" explores the concept of placing greater emphasis on the long-term interests of future generations. Similarly, "The Allegory of the Clan," modeled after Plato's Allegory of the Cave, examines how corruption, favoritism, and the breakdown of accountability can weaken democratic institutions when checks and balances fail. These thought experiments are intended to encourage discussion about civic responsibility, institutional improvement, and ethical leadership.

It is equally important to recognize the many strengths that already exist. Millions of Americans volunteer, mentor young people, start businesses, teach, serve their communities, and work every day to improve the lives of others. These positive efforts deserve recognition and continued support because they strengthen both our communities and our democracy. Some are starting to voice their truer opinons knowing that not doing so means there are no opportunities for improvement (men and women of integrity who take risks for supporting the nation's root values.). 

Ultimately, improving our system is a shared responsibility that extends beyond political parties. Progress comes from citizens who stay informed, participate in their communities, engage respectfully with others, and hold institutions accountable to high ethical standards (We are struggling with this a little.). Every election provides an opportunity to evaluate candidates based on their integrity, qualifications, competence, and commitment to serving the public.

Young Americans, in particular, have an important role to play. By becoming informed, voting, volunteering, participating in public discussions, and contributing new ideas, they help ensure that our democracy continues to evolve and meet the needs of future generations. Every generation has the opportunity to leave the country stronger than it found it, and that begins with active citizenship, thoughtful leadership, and a shared commitment to continual improvement. 

Be involved in the strengthening of your nation, create a sense of community, develop yourself, and to what is right for others and yourself. Be the best person you can be and thoughtful about who you vote for. If you don't know who to vote for then vote independent to draw in more ideas and new people who are not as highly top down vetted. We can make healthy change if each does their part. 

Thomas Jefferson famously declared that "the earth belongs in usufruct to the living". It means that the next generation shouldn't have to inheret the problems, issues and poor choices of the prior generation. This is why we should strive for the health of the next generation. Your time to lead is coming soon and you must then begin to think of the generation after you. It is a philosophical idea that preceeded Jefferson on the rights of each generation.

Harvard Youth Poll, 52nd Edition (Spring 2026): Young Americans Face Economic Pressure and Declining Trust

• Economic concerns remain the dominant issue for young Americans, with rising costs of living, financial insecurity, and affordability continuing to shape attitudes and future expectations.
• Trust in government and national institutions has fallen to historic lows. Only a small share of respondents believe the country is headed in the right direction, and confidence in political leadership remains weak across parties.
• Young adults expressed growing concern about global instability and personal safety, reflecting broader anxiety about international conflicts and domestic uncertainty.
• Dissatisfaction with both major political parties continues to increase, suggesting many young voters feel neither party adequately represents their priorities or addresses their concerns.
• Despite widespread political frustration, the survey indicates that young Americans remain engaged with public issues, emphasizing economic opportunity, responsive leadership, and meaningful policy solutions.

Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics. (2026, April 23). Harvard Youth Poll: 52nd edition (Spring 2026). https://iop.harvard.edu/youth-poll/52nd-edition-spring-2026