Social capital in civic and stressful societies

Social capital is examined with particular reference to societies where distrust of institutions has been the norm. Alternative relationships between individuals and institutions in civil and uncivil societies are described. The important distinction between social network capital and organizational capital is made clear. The former can be used to achieve freedom from the state; the latter implies a trustworthy state. Empirical survey data from the New Democracies Barometer in 9 post-Communist societies, the data measure trust, skepticism, and distrust in 15 institutions are presented.