Economic Themes (2008) 46 (3) 9, 137-150
Marija Džunić
Abstract: Unlike theories that identify social capital with other forms of capital, a number of authors point out its function of a social infrastructure, an environment for economic transacting. The relation between social capital and institutions is multidimiensional: first, social capital may affect the enhancement of institutional performance; second, it itself can be identified with formal institutions that encourage cooperation between economic agents; third, there may be a crowding-out effect between informal norms and formal institutional structure; finally, an attempt of integration and reconciliation of contrasting views is offered in the synergy view of state-society relations.
Keywords: social capital; formal institutions; social infrastructure; informal norms; state-society relations
SOCIAL CAPITAL AND INSTITUTIONAL QUALITY
Marija Džunić
Abstract: Unlike theories that identify social capital with other forms of capital, a number of authors point out its function of a social infrastructure, an environment for economic transacting. The relation between social capital and institutions is multidimiensional: first, social capital may affect the enhancement of institutional performance; second, it itself can be identified with formal institutions that encourage cooperation between economic agents; third, there may be a crowding-out effect between informal norms and formal institutional structure; finally, an attempt of integration and reconciliation of contrasting views is offered in the synergy view of state-society relations.
Keywords: social capital; formal institutions; social infrastructure; informal norms; state-society relations
