Social Trust in Urban Neighbourhoods: The Effect of Relative Ethnic Group Position

Abstract

Social trust is essential to a cohesive society. Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of individual and contextual determinants in explaining social trust. In this paper it is argued, by means of Blumer’s group position theory, that an individual’s position in the ethnic hierarchy relative to that of the neighbourhood residents influences his or her social trust in the neighbourhood. The multilevel regression analysis of data from the Amsterdam Safety Monitor 2009 provides tentative support for this theory. Building upon previous studies, the relevant individual and contextual determinants of social trust in the neighbourhood are also studied. Contrary to earlier findings, no neighbourhood effects are detected. Thus, it is neither the actual position in the ethnic hierarchy nor the effect of the neighbourhood, but the ethnic position relative to the neighbourhood residents that diminishes minority group members’ social trust through a threat that appears to be both socioeconomic and cultural.