Abstract
Individuals tend to act for the common benefit of their community if certain elements of social
capital exist (Coleman, 1990; Putnam, 1993, 2000). Consequently, it is assumed that citizens
will tend to cooperate for the long-term improvement and conservation of natural resources in
communities with high stocks of social capital (Pretty, 2003). The aim of this article is to
examine these assumptions by connecting individual social capital to the willingness of
individuals to contribute money for environmental improvement. Data were obtained from
European Values Survey (1999/2000) and individual social capital was estimated through the
inclusion of four factors: trust (institutional and social), formal social networks, social norms
and civic participation. The analysis conducted indicates that stocks of social capital influence
the tendency of individuals to contribute (or not contribute) money for environmental goods.
Through the study, empirical proof is provided for the connection between individual social
capital and attitudes concerning natural resources.
capital exist (Coleman, 1990; Putnam, 1993, 2000). Consequently, it is assumed that citizens
will tend to cooperate for the long-term improvement and conservation of natural resources in
communities with high stocks of social capital (Pretty, 2003). The aim of this article is to
examine these assumptions by connecting individual social capital to the willingness of
individuals to contribute money for environmental improvement. Data were obtained from
European Values Survey (1999/2000) and individual social capital was estimated through the
inclusion of four factors: trust (institutional and social), formal social networks, social norms
and civic participation. The analysis conducted indicates that stocks of social capital influence
the tendency of individuals to contribute (or not contribute) money for environmental goods.
Through the study, empirical proof is provided for the connection between individual social
capital and attitudes concerning natural resources.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - Sept 2007 |
| Event | 8th Conference of the European Sociological Association - Glasgow, United Kingdom Duration: 1 Sept 2007 → 1 Sept 2007 |
Conference
| Conference | 8th Conference of the European Sociological Association |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Glasgow |
| Period | 1/09/07 → 1/09/07 |