Killing trust in America

We were struck by Karl Marlantes’ powerful essay, published by The New York Times, on the ways the Vietnam War changed America. A Marine lieutenant, Marlantes argues Vietnam made us cynical and distrustful of our institutions, eroding the belief that public service is central to being American. In an era of historically low trust in public institutions, grappling with this cynicism is among the most significant challenges any public leader – in business, government or otherwise – is facing today.

American soldiers watching helicopters landing as part of Operation Pershing in South Vietnam in 1967.Credit...Patrick Christain/Getty Images