Randlane: Trust in the state requires justified decisions, not just promises
Estonian researcher Kerli Randlane argues that the government's pledge of a responsible and honest budget will only be credible if the state explains its tax and spending decisions, as Estonia's draft budget for next year reaches parliament.
Estonia's Riigikogu is now reviewing the draft state budget for next year, which Prime Minister Kristen Michal has described as responsible and honest toward the country's future. Researcher Kerli Randlane argues that such claims need to be backed by concrete explanations rather than mere assurances.
According to a September public opinion survey, 39 percent of Estonians trust the government and 36 percent trust parliament. By comparison, 83 percent trust the police and 66 percent trust the Defence Forces. Lower trust in political institutions, however, does not automatically mean distrust in the state as a whole.
What builds trust
Randlane identifies three qualities that shape trust in the state: competence, benevolence, and principle. Taxpayers, she writes, deserve to understand why specific budget priorities were chosen, who benefits from them, and who bears a heavier burden. If better services or lower taxes are promised, the government must explain where the funding will come from and what will be given up in exchange.
Trust does not mean automatic agreement with every government decision — a person may accept the need for taxes while still viewing their distribution as unfair. Randlane also notes that honest taxpayers' willingness to comply can weaken if they see others evading taxes without consequence.
Effect on the economy
A representative of the Estonian Employers' Confederation, Raul Aron, has pointed out that frequent tax changes have eroded both consumer confidence and business trust in Estonia's entrepreneurial environment. Randlane adds that next year's planned increase in excise duties on energy products also needs justification — if the increase is dropped, the government must clearly show which expenses will be cut or how the resulting budget gap will otherwise be covered.
