When people stop believing in the systems meant to protect society, things fall apart fast. Think about it—compliance doesn't happen through force alone. It runs on trust. People pay their taxes, show up for jury duty, follow the rules because they believe the system has legitimacy. The moment that trust erodes, so does voluntary cooperation. This principle isn't just theoretical; it's foundational to how any ecosystem—whether traditional institutions or decentralized networks—actually functions. Without institutional credibility, you're left scrambling to enforce rules rather than having people naturally want to participate.