VOLUME 1 (1999) - ISSUE 2 (WINTER)

The Importance of Social Capital for Europe

by Michael LEICHT

SUMMARY

How can globalization be made socially sustainable? Social capital is a measure of social cohesion. It is about the ability of people to cooperate, encompassing moral values (justice, trust, civic engagement, and tolerance) and institutional capacity. Several tendencies have led to a destruction of social capital (neoliberal ideology, unchecked markets, unemployment, technological change, etc.). Policy initiatives fostering social capital accumulation can start at several levels (micro, meso and macro). At the center stands a revival of civic culture and a transformation of the welfare state into a social investment state. But actions are also possible on a European level.


KEYWORDS

Social Capital - Reform of the Welfare State - European Integration.


AUTHOR'S PRESENTATION

Michael LEICHT studied economics and sociology at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. He took his Lizentiat in 1996. After that he studied European politics at the College of Europe in Bruges during the year 1996/97 which he finished with a Masters degree. Since then he has been assistant at the Sociological Institute of the University of Zurich and has accomplished his Ph.D. thesis on “A Reformed European Model – Social Capital as Competitive Advantage”.


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