DaviÂde Torsello: Trust, DisÂtrust and Social RelaÂtiÂons at an East SloÂvaÂkiÂan VilÂlaÂge
Trust and disÂtrust seem to be imporÂtant conÂcepts when we desÂcriÂbe how indiÂviÂduÂals strucÂtuÂraÂliÂse their acts, and/or how they report with other peopÂle their ideas on social reality. Trust that creÂaÂtes a relaÂtiÂon based on reliÂanÂce betÂweÂen parÂtiÂes that share a comÂmon goal, holds the emphaÂsis on interÂests and instruÂmenÂtaÂlism and an array of mutuÂal expecÂtaÂtiÂons and resÂponÂsiÂbiÂliÂtiÂes from both sides. These are defiÂned on the basis of the prinÂcipÂles and rules of the community. Deep disÂtrust to indiÂviÂduÂals and instiÂtuÂtiÂons is one of the reacÂtiÂons proÂduÂced by indiÂviÂduÂals by which the vilÂlaÂge peopÂle react on the situÂaÂtiÂon of poverÂty and ecoÂnoÂmic penuÂry during their eveÂryÂday life. In every detail of the social life of indiÂviÂduÂals trust is in stake, since due to the lack of ecoÂnoÂmic sourÂces the indiÂviÂduÂals see the opporÂtuÂniÂty to surÂviÂve in social interaction. In such conÂdiÂtiÂons there is no place to pracÂtiÂce the „blind“ and absoÂluÂte trust, since (the social and economic) goods are lacÂking from the life of individuals. At the same time disÂtrust results resÂponÂsiÂbiÂliÂty in the plaÂyÂers of the inteÂracÂtiÂon that is seen not in apatÂhy and passivity, but in one actiÂve mode of living in geneÂral conÂdiÂtiÂons of disÂtrust and lack.
The inhabÂiÂtants of Krá¾oÂvá nad Váhom conÂsiÂder the imporÂtanÂce of social relaÂtiÂons as the adapÂtaÂtiÂon straÂteÂgy to big hisÂtoÂriÂcal changes. How could the exisÂtence of domiÂnant expressed disÂtrust be underÂstoÂod in the community? In instruÂmenÂtal conÂcepÂtiÂon in case of need famiÂly memÂbers are potenÂtiÂalÂly the most proÂfiÂtabÂle sourÂces of help. Since famiÂly relaÂtiÂons are alwaÂys „blood relations“. Although, on the other hand, strong emphaÂsis on famiÂly relaÂtiÂons has also negaÂtiÂve sides. The petÂriÂfiÂed etiÂquÂetÂte of behaÂving and mainÂtaÂiÂning tireÂsoÂme social relaÂtiÂons can leÂad to the accuÂmuÂlaÂtiÂon of negaÂtiÂve emoÂtiÂons that can threÂaÂten the senÂsiÂtiÂve sysÂtem of famiÂly relations.
RelaÂtiÂons out of famiÂly and witÂhin a vilÂlaÂge are chaÂracÂteÂriÂsed by difÂfeÂrent social aspects: these are not so long-term than the relaÂtiÂons witÂhin family. PeopÂle can use instruÂmenÂtal trust on difÂfeÂrent levels dependÂing on how much time (and power) is invesÂted to the relationship. Although, on the other hand even if the emoÂtiÂoÂnal load is easÂiÂer in relaÂtiÂons outÂsiÂde the famiÂly than in the relaÂtiÂons witÂhin the family, capÂriÂciÂousÂness of relaÂtiÂons outÂsiÂde the famiÂly is stronger. HenÂce, with the growth of disÂtanÂce betÂweÂen the indiÂviÂduÂals the cogÂniÂtiÂve map of trust becoÂmes moÂre complex. At this point the usage of disÂtrust can becoÂme of straÂteÂgic imporÂtanÂce and the expressed disÂtrust betÂweÂen the vilÂlaÂge habiÂtants does not refÂlect the lack of forms of assoÂciÂaÂtiÂons or ciÂvil colÂlecÂtiÂve actions, as some of the theÂoÂriÂes seem to declare.
Using disÂtrust is expressÂing tense that is presÂent betÂweÂen difÂfeÂrent layÂers on which trust is based and with the help of which it is maintained. By using direct disÂtrust vilÂlaÂge peopÂle are able to creÂaÂte balanÂce betÂweÂen folÂloÂwing perÂsoÂnal interÂests and the conÂstrucÂtiÂon of social and cogÂniÂtiÂve trust. HenÂce, disÂtrust becoÂmes the supÂpleÂment of trust and at the same time the tool for creÂaÂting attachÂment betÂweÂen the peopÂle in uncerÂtaÂin times.