[CFP] Conference 2018 – Social Capital Working Group

9th International Conference in Political Economy
September 12-14, 2018

Call for Papers – Panel organised by Social Capital Working Group

THEME: Social capital, public participation and democracy

Asimina Christoforou, Athens University of Economics and Business
Luca Andriani, Birkbeck, University of London

Current economic crises are deeply rooted in an institutional crisis, in a social and democratic deficit. Nowadays we often question the ability of economic and political institutions to translate people’s needs into social welfare: austerity policies have led to poverty and inequality; public goods and services in crucial areas of health, education and the environment are in decline; decisions in parliaments, elections and referenda are being challenged; human rights, especially those of immigrants and workers, are being violated; outspoken scholars and activists are being persecuted; extremist groups are spreading fear and violence; and civil conflicts and international disputes are spurring threats of war and human extinction.

In light of these developments, we invite proposals for papers to be presented in the Social Capital Working Group’s panels at the 9th International Conference in Political Economy, that examine the potential of social capital to restore democracy by cultivating norms and networks of citizen involvement and public participation. Many studies have pointed to the critical role of social capital in creating values and institutions of democracy and social welfare, by appealing to the work of Tocqueville, Dewey and Putnam. Yet some argue that the prevalence of particularised interests and powerful economic and political elites may foster hierarchical relations, clientelism and corruption and thus and welfare. These are hypotheses that need to be further theorised and empirically tested in order to uncover hinder broader participation, development the relationship between social capital and democracy.

We also encourage contributions that generally address the topic of social capital. We welcome works that derive from various social science disciplines and use different units of analysis (individual, regional, country or cross-country level), methodologies and techniques (theoretical, empirical, qualitative and quantitative).

For queries and suggestions, you may contact Asimina Christoforou, Coordinator of the Social Capital Working Group: asimina.christoforou@gmail.com.