Researches on Social Capital in a Multicultural Society: Theoretical and Methodological Problems and Key Results

Abstract

Objective. Review a key theoretical developments of the concept of social capital, review of socio-psychological approaches to the nature of social capital, and discuss the problem of social capital in a multicultural society based on existing research. Background. Despite of a large number of empirical studies, there are currently no common views on the structure of social capital, as well as generally accepted methods for measuring it. The phenomenology of social capital is considered at three levels: macro-, meso -, and micro-level. The article considers not only various theoretical approaches to the phenomenon of social capital, but also the advantages of having this socio-psychological resource by society. Special attention is paid to the review of research on social capital in a multicultural society. The article discusses the influence of ethnic diversity of society on its social capital, as well as the influence of various aspects of integration immigration policy on the social capital of society, which is of particular interest and relevance for multicultural Russia. Methodology. Systemic approach, comparative analysis method. Conclusions. The concept of social capital remains rather “umbrella”, combining a set of a number of phenomena that satisfy certain characteristics. Indicators of social capital at the group level and at the individual level are different. Social capital in a multicultural society is one of the resources for mutual adaptation of ethnic groups. Concerning the relation between ethnic diversity and social capital, although most foreign studies indicate a decrease in social capital in the context of ethnic diversity, we did not find this in Russia. The relationship of ethnic diversity to social capital depends strongly on the context.