Can Social Capital Be Measured? An analysis of territorial differences among the districts of Czechia

Abstract

This paper focuses on measuring collective social capital. Theoretical and methodological approaches are discussed, leading to a conceptualisation of social capital with a set of ten indicators. These indicators reflect structural (social networks) and cultural aspects (trust, civic norms and values) of social capital and can be divided into five categories (local social life, institutional life, trust and propensity for collective action, trust in institutions, outer relationships). Analysis of the territorial differentiation of social capital at the district level of Czechia is then carried out using principal component analysis.