RISK ASSESSMENT AS A KEY TOOL FOR BUILDING SOCIAL TRUST
Authors: Litvina K. 
Published: December 2024

Trust as a subject of research in the socio-humanities appeared in the publications of Russian scientists in the mid-1990s. In these works, the theoretical and hypothetical nature of the research was more often observed. However, by the end of this period, a direction had been formed devoted to the study of social trust as a phenomenon of scientific knowledge in such areas as political science, sociology and psychology. This consequence of negative events and radical economic and political changes occurred in Russia at the turn of 1990-2000. The lack of trust manifested itself in almost all layers of society and its spheres of life. Accordingly, in the author’s opinion, the reliable source of the formation of scientific interest in the problems of trust was precisely the practical needs of society, thanks to the acute manifestation of which an atmosphere of high demand for scientific knowledge about trust, about the possibility of influencing its level, predicting and managing it, using an assessment of the risks of society as a key tool for social trust. The purpose of this study was to determine the range of problem situations developing in society and causing different levels of trust when solving socially significant situations, to identify the features of risk assessment in the formation of social trust, as well as to develop recommendations for the development of the sociology of management as an interdisciplinary field of study of society. The objective of the study was to conduct a theoretical and empirical analysis of situations that exhibit risks of social trust, as well as to reveal the mechanism for their inclusion in the processes of self-regulation and overcoming crisis situations. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study was the work of Russian and foreign scientists on the interaction of various social categories, civil structures, as well as methods of content analysis, a sociological survey of 72 people aged 18 to 60 years, users of the social network «Vkontakte». The decisive feature influencing the sample of respondents was their awareness in the field of information technology. It was determined that the level of social trust of selected groups of users in online and offline modes is associated with intolerance to uncertainty and interpersonal intolerance. In addition, it is noted that trust in Internet content is influenced by the professional and personal characteristics of the respondents. Analysis of the literature and the results of the study helped formulate theoretical conclusions, develop practical recommendations and outline prospects for assessing risks in the formation of the level of social trust. It is substantiated that risk assessment in the formation of social trust is an important and pressing issue in our modern society. In an ever-changing social, economic and political environment, the need to identify and analyze possible risks affects the ability of society to perceive and trust each other. Social trust plays a key role in the formation of a stable, harmonious and developing community. It promotes the effective functioning of institutions, the exchange of information and resources, and the strengthening of relationships between different social groups. However, in order for social trust to flourish, it is necessary to understand and assess the possible risks that may arise along the way of its formation and maintenance. The article emphasizes the importance of a scientifically based approach, which consists in recognizing the need for effective risk management at various levels — from federal to local, as well as recognizing the importance of a culture of trust as a social technology for reducing the level of these risks.