Law, Behavior, and the Future of Institutional Trust (Public Lecture)

Abstract

This lecture presents a research-led account of why institutional trust is increasingly fragile and how legal systems can strengthen legitimacy. It argues that trust is shaped less by abstract legal correctness and more by the human experience of process: clarity, dignity, neutrality, and consistency. The talk integrates legal concepts of procedural fairness with behavioral evidence on decision acceptance and compliance. It outlines practical design choices—communication standards, participation structures, and enforcement calibration—that improve legitimacy without undermining legal principle. The lecture is intended for policymakers, institutional leaders, and legal professionals seeking to improve public confidence under conditions of social tension and heightened scrutiny.