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The Role of Social Capital in Financial Development

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  • Luigi Guiso
  • Paola Sapienza
  • Luigi Zingales

Abstract

To identify the effect of social capital on financial development, we exploit social capital differences within Italy. In high-social-capital areas, households are more likely to use checks, invest less in cash and more in stock, have higher access to institutional credit, and make less use of informal credit. The effect of social capital is stronger where legal enforcement is weaker and among less educated people. These results are not driven by omitted environmental variables, since we show that the behavior of movers is still affected by the level of social capital of the province where they were born.

Suggested Citation

  • Luigi Guiso & Paola Sapienza & Luigi Zingales, 2004. "The Role of Social Capital in Financial Development," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 94(3), pages 526-556, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:94:y:2004:i:3:p:526-556
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/0002828041464498
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • G20 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - General
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General

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