Social capital in Europe
Subtitle: a comparative regional analysis
By: Emanuele Ferragina
Publisher: Edward Elgar
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Cheltenham, UK; Northampton, MA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 226
ISBN-13: 9781781000212
Subjects: Social capital (Sociology)
Description: The book investigates the determinants of social capital across 85 European regions capturing the renewed interest among social capital theorists for the importance of active secondary groups in supporting the correct functioning of society and its democratic institutions. Robert Putnam merged quantitative and historical analyses, suggesting that the lack of social capital in the south of Italy was mainly due to a peculiar historical development rather than being the product of a mix of structural socio-economic factors, a conclusion that has been the subject of fierce criticism and debate.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 194-216) and index.