An empirical assessment of individual-level determinants of social capital in central European countries

Abstract

This paper carries out an empirical assessment of the influence relationship between personal attitudes and several measures of social capital in some Central European Countries (CEC). Using the World Values Survey dataset, the model measures three main social capital dimensions (institutional trust, social participation and political participation) and four personal attitudes factors (collectiveness, education, gender differences and work). The analysis provides relevant information about personal determinant of social capital, in its political approach and, also, about the key role of institutional trust for civic engagement in social and political participation.