Confidence, in the sense defined by Luhmann in this volume, might be described as a kind of blind trust where, given the constraints of the situation, the relationships we engage in depend or are seen to depend very little on our actions and decisions. In other words, confidence may also issue from wishful thinking and the reduction of cognitive dissonance; it would then be more akin to hope than trust. We still know little, though, about how a certain level of trust is or can be achieved and promoted.

DEFINE: Distinguishes Luhmann's sense of confidence from trust, characterizing it as blind, hope-like, and grounded in wishful thinking and cognitive-dissonance reduction. XREF: Connects to trust/risk literature (Luhmann) and could tie to cognitive dissonance theory from social psychology.

Diego Gambetta, Trust - Making and Breaking…, loc. 2768