Social Capital as a Basis for Collective Action – the Case of Environmental Activism in Two Towns in Serbia
Social Capital as a Basis for Collective Action – the Case of Environmental Activism in Two Towns in Serbia

Author(s): Jelisaveta Vukelić, Irena Petrović
Subject(s): Politics, Sociology, Environmental interactions
Published by: Institut za filozofiju i društvenu teoriju
Keywords: Social Capital; Collective Action; Environmental Activism
Summary/Abstract: It is often argued that social capital can foster cooperation among citizens and produce more effective solutions to collective problems, enhancing the attainment of common goals (Putnam, 1993,2000). Namely, if communication is well developed, if people express solidarity and have trust in each other, successful shared endeavours and joint solving of problems would be more probable. On the other hand, in the societies that lack the tradition of cooperative efforts of citizens (bridging capital is not developed), it is much harder to start a collective action (Putnam, 1993). Based upon the results of an empirical study conducted in two Serbian towns with significant environmental issues – Pančevo (N=450) and Bor (N=350) – the aim of this paper is to test the hypothesis of connection between social capital and environmental activism. Answers will be sought to the following questions: what is the level of development of social capital in these two towns, to what extent is environmental activism developed (taking into consideration the seriousness of environmental problems) and in what way does (under)developed social capital influence (impede) the possibilities for environmental collective action?

• Details
• Contents