The central question addressed by this book is: Can we rebuild trust in a time of increasing conflict and paralysis? Or rather: Can we build trust, for the first time, wide and strong enough to bring us together to work on the complex problems of our age? Relations of trust have been weakened over the past century by a historic expansion of communication and cross-cultural interaction, and the advance of complex, fluid relationships. Now the rapid rise of the Internet has accelerated the disruption. Many long for the comfort and security of relations in which one knew whom to trust and what to ... More

The central question addressed by this book is: Can we rebuild trust in a time of increasing conflict and paralysis? Or rather: Can we build trust, for the first time, wide and strong enough to bring us together to work on the complex problems of our age? Relations of trust have been weakened over the past century by a historic expansion of communication and cross-cultural interaction, and the advance of complex, fluid relationships. Now the rapid rise of the Internet has accelerated the disruption. Many long for the comfort and security of relations in which one knew whom to trust and what to expect; yet at the same time they may embrace the dynamism and creativity that comes from mixing of cultures and perspectives. This book explores current conflicts and confusions of relations and identities, using both general theory and specific cases. It argues that we are at a catalyzing moment in a long transition from a community in which the prime rule was tolerance, to one with a commitment to understanding; from one where it was considered wrong to argue about cultural differences, to one where such arguments are essential. In that transition there is much still to learn and to construct. Too often the reactions to dense interactions are destructive, ranging through withdrawal, defensiveness, confusion, humiliation, anger, and the polarizations of the culture wars. We have few accepted forums for genuine dialogue. Nevertheless, there has been considerable recent learning around approaches to understanding and collaboration. These point the way to a rich community, based on a shared expectation that its members will work constantly to improve their understanding of each other, and to work together around shared purposes. The development of this rich community is essential as well as difficult. Complex societies produce complex challenges, from climate change, to inequality, to the risk-laden opportunities of bioengineering that demand collaboration among people with widely varying views. Such brewing crises cannot be worked through without far more deliberate discussion and cooperation—and higher levels of trust—than we have today. This book explores many challenges ahead and suggests some practical directions for resolving them.