ISSN:
0377-7480
Language:
English
Pages:
1 Online-Ressource
Year of publication:
2008
Parallel Title:
Erscheint auch als
Keywords:
Agriculture
;
Journal of Rural Cooperation
Abstract:
The transition process in central and eastern Europe (CEE) had a profoundeffect on how individuals interact. Economic and social institutions havechanged, requiring an adaptation process by individuals in the move towarda market economy. How each individual accesses, manipulates and usestheir networks will determine the use of their social capital. Within CEE,there is a presumption of low levels of social capital. This paper questionsthe rationale of applying the contested 'western' concept of social capital toCEE countries. It argues that although the concept was developed tounderstand processes within established democratic systems, it neverthelessis instrumental for analysing how trust is formed, and for understandingcooperation amongst individuals. As such, this framework reconcilesliterature from sociological and economic disciplines and offers acomprehensive framework for the analysis of social capital on a micro level.This involves positing social capital within a game theoretic framework,while including social learning or heuristics. This is particularly importantdue to the path dependent social structures and institutions, given politicalchanges in these countries in the last century. Social capital is seen as adynamic entity, a form of institutional change, which leads to innovation inthe existing governance structures. For contents press on Sample pages which is located on the right of the cover photo. Journal of Rural Cooperation Home Page
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