Tillit till statliga institutioner och riskuppfattningar : En pilotstudie om studenters syn på ett svenskt Natomedlemskap

Sammanfattning: Sweden is currently facing a paradigm shift in its security policy as it has applied for membership in the military alliance NATO. According to the current government, Swedish NATO membership is the best way to safeguard Sweden in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Previous research indicates a connection between trust and risk perceptions, as well as a difference in risk perceptions between men and women. Trust in governmental institutions also becomes central during crises and disasters. The theoretical framework of this study draws on Ulrich Beck's theories of the risk society and cosmopolitanism, Anthony Giddens' concept of trust in expert systems, and a socialization theory of gender by Davidson and Freudenburg. The purpose of this pilot study is to examine how students' trust in governmental institutions influences their risk perceptions regarding NATO membership. Furthermore, the aim is to investigate whether the relationship between trust in governmental institutions and risk perceptions is influenced by factors such as attitudes towards NATO and gender, and whether there are differences in risk perceptions between men and women regarding NATO membership. This study uses a quantitative method in the form of surveys to address the research questions. The sample for the study consists of the group "They call us students" on Facebook and a discussion forum for all students enrolled in the bachelor's program in Social Analysis. Data from the survey were analyzed through means comparison, correlation, and regression analyses. The results of the study indicate that a high trust in governmental institutions leads students to perceive fewer risks associated with NATO membership. Women also tend to perceive more risks with NATO membership, and a positive attitude towards NATO results in fewer perceived risks with NATO membership. This pilot study has demonstrated the relevance of investigating the relationship between trust in governmental institutions and risk perceptions regarding NATO membership. It would also be interesting for future research to examine other factors that influence individuals' risk perceptions, such as social class and ethnicity.