Religion is, of course, an individual and spiritual phenomenon, but it is not without collective end even economic implications. The effects of religion on the economy pass mainly through the link between individual religiosity and social capital, intended in its dual dimension of trust in other people and propensity for associations and volunteering. By nourishing social capital, religiosity therefore contributes to economic development and the substitute roles that the vast world of the third sector and the voluntary sector have in relation to the declining welfare state. This paper investigates precisely, on ISTAT data, the link between the degree of participation in religious life on the one hand and trust in others, active participation or financial support to associations, on the other. The positive link between religious participation and the aforementioned dimensions of social capital is confirmed, even considering the various areas of the country, characterized by a different level of both religious participation and social capital, the different levels of education, civil status, age and gender.
"From the church to the world: the relationship between religious participation and social capital. A study on the Italian reality", paper presentato alla EBES Conference 2021, 7-9 aprile 2021
D'Amore, R.;
2021-01-01
Abstract
Religion is, of course, an individual and spiritual phenomenon, but it is not without collective end even economic implications. The effects of religion on the economy pass mainly through the link between individual religiosity and social capital, intended in its dual dimension of trust in other people and propensity for associations and volunteering. By nourishing social capital, religiosity therefore contributes to economic development and the substitute roles that the vast world of the third sector and the voluntary sector have in relation to the declining welfare state. This paper investigates precisely, on ISTAT data, the link between the degree of participation in religious life on the one hand and trust in others, active participation or financial support to associations, on the other. The positive link between religious participation and the aforementioned dimensions of social capital is confirmed, even considering the various areas of the country, characterized by a different level of both religious participation and social capital, the different levels of education, civil status, age and gender.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
