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https://doi.org/10.18335/region.v3i1.73
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Social Capital and Economic Well-Being in Germany's Regions: An Exploratory Spatial Analysis
[journal article]
Abstract This article explores social capital in Germany in line with Putnam’s claim that social capital benefits regional economic well-being. In particular, this macro-level study examines whether the number of civic associations, as a measure of a vibrant civil society, is related to higher GDP. Since thi... view more
This article explores social capital in Germany in line with Putnam’s claim that social capital benefits regional economic well-being. In particular, this macro-level study examines whether the number of civic associations, as a measure of a vibrant civil society, is related to higher GDP. Since this study uses spatial data on civic associations and official statistics concerning the German NUTS-3 regions, different spatial matrices model interdependencies among the dependent units of analysis. Exploratory spatial data analysis illustrates spatial patterns between districts as well as each variable’s radius of influence. Cross-sectional spatial models help examine social capital’s effect on regional economic well-being. Results of these analyses are two-fold: first, the geographical scope of social capital is locally concentrated, whereas the sphere of economic well-being encloses a wider area. Second, social capital correlates positively with economic well-being in Germany’s many regions.... view less
Keywords
Federal Republic of Germany; social capital; gross domestic product; prosperity; citizens' involvement; socioeconomic factors; regional difference
Classification
Area Development Planning, Regional Research
Macrosociology, Analysis of Whole Societies
Free Keywords
civic associations; economic well-being; spatial interdependence
Document language
English
Publication Year
2016
Page/Pages
p. 1-24
Journal
Region: the journal of ERSA, 3 (2016) 1
ISSN
2409-5370
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed