(i) Purpose of the paper
The paper considers the relationship between social capital and corruption. A number of empirical studies have previously attempted to measure the relationship between social capital and corruption, with varying degrees of success (Delhey and Newton 2005; Lambsdorff 2007; Harris, 2007; Lopez and Santos, 2014). However, the current literature has largely focused on the trust dimension of social capital (Bjørnskov 2003; La Porta et al. 1997; Uslaner 2004; Delhey and Newton 2005; Lambsdorff 2007; Harris, 2007; Lopez and Santos, 2014), thus neglecting the full and complex nature of the concept.
In short, the purpose of this paper is to make clear the multiple, and sometimes contradictory, mechanisms of how different forms of social capital influence corruption.
(ii) Intended contribution to the literature
For the majority of scholars, social capital entails a variety of different elements, both structural and cultural (Hooghe and Stolle 2003; Coffe´ and Geys 2006; Sabatini 2009; van Deth 2010; Pilcher and Wallace, 2007). However currently, empirical research on social capital and corruption has failed to recognise this, omitting the structural, network aspect.
This study advances the current literature by explicitly acknowledging and addressing the network dimension of social capital, in addition to the social/cultural aspects. Social capital is broken down into four dimensions which come under two sub-headings: Formal and Informal. This gives a multi-dimensional understanding of the relationship between corruption and social capital.
(iii) Methods
The paper takes a positivist, objectivist approach - the hypotheses, proposed in the literature review, are empirically tested using quantitative data. The paper uses multiple regression in order to measure the relationship between social capital and perceived corruption at a macro, cross-national level, while controlling for GDP per capita - the best known predictor of perceived corruption.
The paper uses data from a number of secondary data sources. Social capital is operationalised using data from the Eurobarometer 62.2, the most extensive European survey on social capital. Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index is used as a proxy for corruption.
(iv) Main findings.
The study provides empirical backing for the positive effects of two types of formal social capital, both structural and cultural. It is theorised that formal networks reduce corruption as they increase political awareness and increase democratic skills and attitudes. Moreover, formal networks provide the basis for citizens to take collective action in monitoring officials, allowing for resources and skills to be shared so that citizens can work more effectively in detecting and taking action against corrupt officials. The paper also finds that generalised trust is linked to lower levels of corruption. In a society with higher levels of generalised trust citizens are less likely to become corrupt because there is a belief that others will conform to the expected moral and socially upheld standards, and thus behave properly, in a non-corrupt manner.
