Examining Social Capital Among Minority Hungarians

In this analysis we attempt to conceptualise, operationalise and measure social capital from a minority perspective – through its structural (relational) and cognitive (trust) dimensions. Survey results suggest that minority Hungarians in the Charpatian Basin experience limited cross-ethnic “civic” integration; instead, images of parallel, ethnically and linguistically segmented societies emerges. The relative lack of interethnic relationships is reflected in higher levels of distrust toward members of majority ethnic groups. From a resource-oriented perspective, bridging social capital plays a limited role in both structural and cognitive dimensions in fostering the social and systemic integration of regions inhabited by minority Hungarians.