Trust is the glue that holds societies together. It is impossible to have any sort of functioning society without trust. 

          So, what exactly do we mean by trust?

          Essentially it means that we can depend upon something or someone.

          In the first case we trust that when we flip the switch, the lights will come on. When we open the tap, the water will flow. When we turn the key, our car will start, and so on.

         In the second case we trust that a person will do as they say and fulfil any obligations which they have agreed to.

         It is this second case which is so critical to a functioning organization of people. Trust is much easier to maintain and monitor in smaller groups where everyone knows one another and one’s reputation is crucial for their survival and prosperity.

         The situation becomes more complicated when the number of people involved increases beyond a certain threshold.

         Trust is the bedrock of all economic activity. We do not trade with those whom we distrust.

         One of the greatest and most underappreciated inventions for the promotion of worldwide trade is the credit card. This system enables us to trade with people around the world who we do not know we will never meet and who perhaps do not even speak our language. 

         One other modern aid to dealing with the trust issue has come about with the creation and widespread adoption of the internet. Here we can read reviews and learn about the reputation of those we are considering doing business with.