The Importance of Trust in Threat Perception: A Case Study on East Asia.

The paper explores the concept of trust and its relevance to threat perception in conflict situations and decision making. Threat perceptions have a significant impact on the dynamics of human interaction. Trust, fulfilling a psychological need and acting as a stabilizer, can contribute to building a cooperative environment and peaceful relations even in situations of conflict. Trust comes in different varieties, but always involves risk-taking. Structural conditions conducive to trust-building, institutional mechanisms, education for trust and confidence-building measures can reduce uncertainty and allow actors to trust one another more. The paper applies the issue of trust to a case study of East Asia. The East Asian region is in great political movement, with various trouble spots and conflicts. The significant role that trust and trust-building can play in reducing tension and fostering cooperation in this region will be elaborated. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]