Male Political Distrust: The Role of Educational Dissatisfaction

Debate on political gender gaps is intensifying. Populist support, low turnout, and political distrust are reported for in particular young males. To understand the roots of this constellation, I argue, scholars need to move beyond the current focus on labour market “economic”, as well as value-based “cultural” explanations. We also need to consider experiences and evaluations with the educational system, and more generally public services and social policy. I formulate and test a three-step theoretical framework. First, gender gaps in performance evaluations of the educational system can be expected in younger generations, where males experience a “reversal of the gender gap” in education and meet few male role models among public employees. Second, educational dissatisfaction spreads to other public sector aspects and areas as specific evaluations inform an integrated belief system about overall welfare state performance. Third, general performance evaluations of public services affect political trust, more so among the young, and possibly young men in particular. The framework is tested using Norwegian2022-23 three-wave panel data. Norway is generally progressive in terms of gender equality but has seen a pronounced “reversal” of the educational gender gap. This context might point to plausible political change trajectories in the many countries that are moving, albeit more slowly, in the same direction.