Positive and negative social capital and the uneven development of civil society in Southeastern Europe

This article surveys alternative conceptions of social capital and presents empirical findings from research conducted in Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia – Montenegro and Romania. A conceptual distinction between positive and negative social capital is made and emphasis is placed on inter‐regional variation among South East European countries and on inter‐ethnic aspects of social capital. Positive social capital is a necessary condition for developing civil society and for improving the quality of democracy, but a certain level of distrust towards institutions is also expected in democratic regimes. Alternative strategies to develop social capital in post‐communist societies are assessed. In order to raise social capital, a combination of multiple strategies at the European, national and local levels is required.