The Role of Social Capital in the Stabilization of Autocratic Regimes

In this final qualifying work is explored the role and development of social capital in the stabilization of autocratic regimes. We use «social capital» according to definition by Robert Putnam: social capital is a network of relationships based on trust, norms, values and reciprocity. Social capital has been operationalized as trust, since the existence of trust in society strengthens the network of relationships. Stability in this study is understood as all the changes in the political system, which are measured by indicators of political instability. In addition, autocrat`s co-optation and repressive strategies are considered in this paper. Because the development of social capital in autocratic regimes directly depends on autocrat`s strategies. In the sample study are included 58 autocratic states in the period from 1981 to 2012. As a result of empirical research, it was revealed that the behavior of social capital in the stabilization of autocratic regimes is nonlinear and depends on the type of autocratic regime and also on the strategy which is used.