IV EUGEO Congress S28. Social capital in Europe: a geographical perspective. The social and economic networks of trust for territorial development

According to the most widely accepted definition suggested by the World Bank Social Capital Initiative Program research group (Grootaert and van Bastelaer, 2001 and 2002) social capital includes the institutions, the relationships, the attitudes and values that govern interactions among people and contribute to economic and social development. This definition encompasses economic, social and political aspects [Coleman (1988, 1990); Putnam et al. (1993); Olson (1982) and North (1990)] and implies that socio-economic and institutional relationships (that is the social and economic networks of trust) can foster economic development and improve both the quality of the territorial context where households live and the welfare of the whole population. There is growing theoretical and empirical evidence that social capital contributes significantly to development outcomes and its role as a major determinant of economic growth increases its implications in social and economic policy. In this context, development is in its widest sense (growth, equity, environment conditions, health and poverty status). This session is open to all those who want to present original contributions to social capital literature providing new insights on the role of social capital in socio-economic development at territorial level. The papers can be either theoretical and applied and should focus on European countries. Paper dealing with cross-country comparisons are particularly appreciated