JS-83
Participation, Trust and Social Capital in Cross-Cultural Perspective: Examining the Key Social Indicators
Abstract Submissions Closed
RC20 Comparative Sociology (host committee)
RC10 Participation, Organizational Democracy and Self-Management
RC55 Social Indicators
Language: English
Session Type: Oral
Political participation, trust and social capital constitute important factors essential for the establishment of sustainable and accountable political systems, participatory democracies, cohesive and inclusive societies. Development of comparative political science research in the recent three decades has contributed to the formation of an extensive empirical data-base offering a variety of measures of trust, participation and social capital. Yet analysis of this empirical evidence frequently reveals a significant cross-national and cross-regional variation in the patterns of interplay between participation, trust and social capital. Some studies suggest that higher levels of social capital promote conventional forms of political participation such as voting and contacting elected officials. Other studies reveal that lower levels of political trust as, for example, trust in government are associated with higher levels of unconventional participation such as joining in demonstrations, strikes, boycotts while the link between social trust and political participation is found to be weak or frequently context dependent.
This session invites papers exploring correlations and causal links between various forms of political participation (and more broadly – civic engagement), social and political trust and social capital in various cultural and political environments. We particularly welcome papers employing quantitative survey empirical evidence originating from comparative global research programs such as the WVS, ISSP, CSES, CNEP, EVS, ESS, Global Barometer Survey etc. and proposing innovative methodologies and approaches for the development of social indicators and multi-component indexes of participation, trust and social capital.
See more of: RC10 Participation, Organizational Democracy and Self-Management
See more of: RC55 Social Indicators
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