Does Ethnic Diversity Affect Social Capital in the Russian Context?

Posted: 3 Jun 2015 Last revised: 7 Apr 2016

See all articles by Alexander Tatarko

Alexander Tatarko

National Research University Higher School of Economics (Moscow)

Anna Mironova

National Research University Higher School of Economics (Moscow)

Sergey Chuvashov

National Research University Higher School of Economics (Moscow)

Date Written: June 2, 2015

Abstract

The research considers the impact of ethnic diversity on social capital in the Russian context. The theoretical study is based on Putnam’s hypothesis related to the impact of ethnic diversity on social capital. The empirical basis of a representative survey was compiled in two multicultural regions of Russia (N = 2061). To assess the level of ethnic diversity an Ethnic Diversity Index (EDI) was calculated based on the results of the latest National Population Census. Data were processed using two-level structural equitation modelling. The results showed that ethnic diversity did not affect adversely the social capital of Russia, as assumed in Putnam’s hypothesis. In particular, Russia's ethnic diversity positively influences ethnic tolerance and informal sociability and does not affect social trust and community organizational life. The article also suggests reasons for these results.

Keywords: social capital, ethnic diversity, social trust, community organizational life, informal sociability, ethnic tolerance

JEL Classification: D85, Z13

Suggested Citation

Tatarko, Alexander and Mironova, Anna and Chuvashov, Sergey, Does Ethnic Diversity Affect Social Capital in the Russian Context? (June 2, 2015). Higher School of Economics Research Paper No. WP BRP 63/SOC/2015, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2613357 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2613357

Alexander Tatarko (Contact Author)

National Research University Higher School of Economics (Moscow) ( email )

Myasnitskaya street, 20
Moscow, Moscow 119017
Russia

Anna Mironova

National Research University Higher School of Economics (Moscow) ( email )

Myasnitskaya street, 20
Moscow, Moscow 119017
Russia

Sergey Chuvashov

National Research University Higher School of Economics (Moscow) ( email )

Myasnitskaya street, 20
Moscow, Moscow 119017
Russia

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