Capitalul social - demers strategic pentru o guvernanță locală viabilă?

Abstract

In this study the author explores the relationships between governmental public policies and social capital, with a focus on the case of Romania. The development of social capital as well as the development of links between social capital and civil society represents a strategic endeavor focused on overcoming the challenges local governance faces. From a theoretical standpoint, it can be argued that public institutions and public policies influence the formation of social capital, by means of developing mechanisms for stimulating the participation of the members of the sociaty in public affairs. From a pragmatic standpoint, it is very likely to have errors that will limit/stop the formation process of social capital. This study strives to prove that the viability of governance is ensured through: (1) a clear understanding of the role of the state, civil society, and the market; (2) a new institutional design and the existence of well established social capital; and (3) political will. The conclusion of the study, based on empirical data, is that for now social capital does not represent a support for governance. Even more, we believe that the current situation leads to the consolidation of authoritarianism and rigid bureaucratic structures.