The 25th-anniversary edition of the Edelman Trust Barometer has identified a “crisis of grievance” generated by institutional failures, fuelling an erosion of civic trust. Of the 33,000 respondents surveyed across 28 countries, 61% reported a moderate or high sense of grievance, defined by a belief that government and business make their lives harder and serve narrow interests, and wealthy people benefit unfairly from the system. The report also notes a 'profound shift' in perspective on radical drivers of change, with 40% of respondents expressing approval for one or more forms of 'hostile activism,' including attacking people online, intentionally spreading disinformation, threatening or committing violence, and damaging public or private property. This sentiment was strongest among respondents aged 18-34, who expressed a 53% approval rate.

The report – which also notes a surge in fear of discrimination and a decline in optimism for a better future – describes a pervasive sense of disillusionment refracting across all pockets of culture. As people navigate ongoing systemic failures, new frontiers of misinformation, and uncertain futures, they’re growing increasingly skeptical of existing power structures and supporting anti-establishment figures across the political spectrum. According to 2024 polling data, 44% of young people in the UK believe their vote will make no difference, and in the face of this sense of powerlessness, people are adopting new means of self-preservation. Edelman researchers define the emerging paradigm as 'aggressive advocacy for self-interest,' highlighting a need for businesses to 'understand the economic realities of your stakeholders, champion share interests, and create opportunities for optimism' to restore trust.