Social Capital in South Africa: A Data-Driven Learning Guide

Goal & Concept

Goal

This guide explores social capital in South Africa. Frequency tables will be used.

Concept

Social capital is the sum of the in-person interactions between the citizens of a society. These interactions are believed to make it easier for participants to act together to pursue shared goals. We measure social capital with the concepts of trust, norms, and involvement in associational life. Many scholars argue that a society with more social capital tends to have more efficient political institutions and economic development. Research shows that this is the case in the United States, but less is known about social capital in new democracies like South Africa.

From 1948 to 1994, South Africa operated under apartheid, in which the black South African majority was subjected to segregationist laws by the white South African minority. Since 1994, South Africa has been a democratic country.

Possible research questions on social capital in South Africa include:

• How does social capital form in an ethnically diverse society like South Africa?
• Does ethnic diversity help in the formation of social capital?
• Is it possible for social capital to be generated or is it only affected by existing cultural characteristics?
• Does more social capital increase interest in politics?

Goal & Concept - Dataset - Application - Interpretation & Summary - Bibliography