Can ethnic-linguistic diversity explain cross-country differences in social capital formation?

Cong Wang () and Bodo Steiner
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Cong Wang: Department of Border Region Studies, University of Southern Denmark

No 6, Working Papers from University of Southern Denmark, Centre for Border Region Studies

Abstract: Motivated by theoretical arguments that assert a negative impact of ethnolinguistic diversity on social capital, this paper aims to provide some empirical evidence on the relationship between the two variables. In particular, using a cross section sample of 68 developed and developing countries, this paper has found a significant negative effect of ethnolinguistic diversity on social capital. Countries with fractionalized ethnic and linguistic groups as captured by both log number of languages and Desmet et al. (2012) and La Porta et al. (1999)’s measures on linguistic diversity tend to have lower levels of social trust, fewer memberships in social organizations, deteriorated social norms and structure, hence, lower overall social capital stock.

Keywords: Ethnic and Linguistic Diversity; Social Capital; Economic Growth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D72 E0 Z10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 40 pages
Date: 2015-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-gro, nep-mac, nep-soc and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (18)

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