Social capital as a factor in the development of peripheral areas: an analysis of selected components of social capital in Czechia’s typologically different peripheries

Abstract

This article explores regional differences in the social capital of peripheral areas in Czechia. Its objective is to make a general contribution to studies of social and human capital and to the clarification of the role of such capital in the polarisation of space. Specifically, the article builds on previous quantitative analyses of differences in human and social capital in Czechia by presenting analyses of selected results from an extensive empirical study, carried out in typologically different peripheral micro-regions in Czechia. Emphasis is given to an analysis of problems concerning residents’ level of participation in groups, according to a given region’s scale-level, residents’ trust in selected subjects (individuals, entities and institutions) and the overall satisfaction of residents with life in a given municipality. In terms of territorial differentiation, attention is focused on an analysis of differences in the quality of social capital in Czechia’s inner and external peripheries, in other words, in areas of continuous settlement and in border regions that were settled after the removal of the German speaking population.

Social Capital and Local Socio‐economic Development: The Case of Czech Peripheries

“…For comparison, recently settled model territories (as a whole) exhibit lower scores on social capital indicators that were also used by Jančák et al . (), namely, TRUSTPEOP, TRUSTINST and SATISF.…”

“…The first specified assumption, that the former linguistic border really divides the model territories, was confirmed, as in Jančák et al . (). It means that historically determined factors affect current levels of social capital (such a way of thinking in terms of path–dependence can be found in Tabellini ).…”

“…This means that long‐term residents with no children on elementary schools had no opportunity to get the questionnaire (for more see Jančák et al . ). The range of average respondent ages, which varied from 37.0 (Vejprty) to 39.5 (Osoblaha) and the rather high portions of women among all respondents (from 53.8% in Březnice to 62.7% in Žlutice) can be considered direct results of the selected approach.…”

“…; Wiesinger ; Chromý & Skála ; Jančák et al . ; Karametou & Apostolopoulos ). The quality of social capital is seen as a determinant in the polarisation of space (Jančák et al .…”

Leaders in Rural Development Structures (Case Study on the Territory of the Lag Dolní Morava, Moravia)

“…A number of authors write about this position. These include Illner (1996) Perlín (2000) and Jančák et al (2010). In addition, it should be noted that bearing the role of Mayor directly determines leadership by simply equipping him with resources that other actors do not have.…”