Manchester University Press
1 Introduction
Abstract
Research shows that the existence of social capital in a society — or, in the context of the study described in this book, more specifically generalised trust — could be decisive not only in the prevention of crime, but also for economic development and an effective democracy. Although generalised trust and cooperation are highly desirable for any society — and many societies are indeed marked by high levels of trust and cooperation — societies may fall into a negative cycle of distrust and non-cooperation, which is difficult to break. This book explores institutional explanations and more recent political efforts to break the heritage of the past, that is, to turn the vicious circle of non-cooperation into a virtuous circle based on trust and cooperation, and to change citizens' perceptions of society. It looks at Palermo, a city in Italy where school policy represented a cultural warfare, where the dominant role model offered by the Mafia was challenged. The book focuses on a top-down action to change a predominating political culture of distrust, that is, by civic education at a grass-roots level.
Abstract
Research shows that the existence of social capital in a society — or, in the context of the study described in this book, more specifically generalised trust — could be decisive not only in the prevention of crime, but also for economic development and an effective democracy. Although generalised trust and cooperation are highly desirable for any society — and many societies are indeed marked by high levels of trust and cooperation — societies may fall into a negative cycle of distrust and non-cooperation, which is difficult to break. This book explores institutional explanations and more recent political efforts to break the heritage of the past, that is, to turn the vicious circle of non-cooperation into a virtuous circle based on trust and cooperation, and to change citizens' perceptions of society. It looks at Palermo, a city in Italy where school policy represented a cultural warfare, where the dominant role model offered by the Mafia was challenged. The book focuses on a top-down action to change a predominating political culture of distrust, that is, by civic education at a grass-roots level.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- List of tables x
- Acknowledgements xiii
- 1 Introduction 1
- 2 The origins of generalised trust 19
- 3 Methods 40
- 4 The Mafia 54
- 5 Cultural warfare 74
- 6 Students’ trust in political institutions 97
- 7 Students’ perceptions of generalised trust 116
- 8 Explaining generalised trust 137
- 9 The Letter Project – students’ own stories 163
- 10 Conclusion 199
- Appendix 224
- References 230
- Index 237
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- List of tables x
- Acknowledgements xiii
- 1 Introduction 1
- 2 The origins of generalised trust 19
- 3 Methods 40
- 4 The Mafia 54
- 5 Cultural warfare 74
- 6 Students’ trust in political institutions 97
- 7 Students’ perceptions of generalised trust 116
- 8 Explaining generalised trust 137
- 9 The Letter Project – students’ own stories 163
- 10 Conclusion 199
- Appendix 224
- References 230
- Index 237
