Measuring trust and community capacity: social capital for the common good

The results presented here have implications particularly for those in positions of civic leadership and those framing policies that affect rural communities. It will be shown that the development of trust relationships across the broad spectrum of a community and the development of trust 'bridges' between communities is important for the sustainability of rural communities. Perhaps of greater significance, is the restoration and development of links between civic and state/federal leaders which will be shown to have a significant impact on civic participation. The challenge for state and federal political leaders is to initiate meaningful dialogue with rural communities in such a way civic leaders (and their constituents) believe that their message is more than rhetoric for the sake of 'buying' votes at the next election. A further implication that arises from the study is that in order for trust to develop, community infrastructure must be retained and maintained. The loss of infrastructure will be shown to be a key reason for a decline in morale and civic participation.

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