public trust

[/ˈpʌblɪk trʌst/]
nounpl: public trusts
confiança pública
1. The confidence and faith that the general population has in government institutions, officials, and their ability to act in the public interest
The scandal damaged the public trust in the government.
O escândalo prejudicou a confiança pública no governo.
2. A legal doctrine holding that certain natural resources are held in trust by the government for the benefit of all citizens
Under the public trust doctrine, the state manages coastal waters for the public good.
Sob a doutrina da confiança pública, o estado gerencia as águas costeiras para o bem público.
3. The responsibility and accountability that public officials and institutions have to act ethically and transparently
Maintaining public trust requires transparency and accountability from elected officials.
Manter a confiança pública requer transparência e responsabilidade dos funcionários eleitos.
In both Brazilian and American contexts, public trust is a fundamental concept in democratic governance. In Brazil, discussions of public trust often relate to corruption scandals and institutional reform. In the USA, public trust is central to constitutional law, particularly regarding the public trust doctrine in environmental law. The term reflects deep concerns about governmental legitimacy and the social contract between citizens and institutions.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
public confidencecivic trustsocial trustgovernmental credibility
Antonyms / Antônimos
public distrustloss of confidenceskepticismsuspicion

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
confiança pública
Standard term used in political and institutional contexts
São Paulo
confiança pública
Commonly used in business and political discourse
Rio de Janeiro
confiança pública
Standard usage in media and government communications
Portugal
confiança pública
Same term used, with emphasis on institutional trust

Related Words

transparencyaccountabilityintegritylegitimacygovernancecredibility

Related Idioms & Phrases

breach of public trust
violation of public trust
restore public trust
undermine public trust
earn the public trust
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