Social Fabric Weakens Percent who say GLOBAL 27 The lack of civility and mutual respect The social fabric that once held this country today is the worst I have ever seen together has grown too weak to serve as a foundation for unity and common purpose 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer. POP_MDC. Below is a list of statements. For each one, please rate how true you believe that statement is using a nine-point scale where one means it is “not at all true” and nine means it is “completely true”. 9-point scale; top 4 box, true. General population, 27-mkt avg.