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The Economics of Change and Stability in Social Trust: Evidence from (and for) Catalan Secession

Author

Listed:
  • Bjørnskov, Christian

    (Aarhus University)

  • Borrella-Mas, Miguel Ángel

    (Universidad de Navarra)

  • Rode, Martin

    (Universidad de Navarra)

Abstract

Consequences of social trust are comparatively well studied, while its societal determinants are often subject to debate. This paper studies both in the context of Catalan attempts to secede from Spain: First, we test if Catalonia enjoys higher levels of social capital that it is prevented from capitalizing on. Second, the paper examines whether secessionist movements create animosity and political divisions within society that undermine trust. Employing the eight available waves of the European Social Survey for Spain, we show that social trust levels are not higher in Catalonia than in the rest of the country. However, we find indications of a significant regional increase after secession became a real option in 2014. We argue that this finding is a likely result of the mental process of nation building, indicating that the formation of social trust may best be thought of as a stable punctuated equilibrium.

Suggested Citation

  • Bjørnskov, Christian & Borrella-Mas, Miguel Ángel & Rode, Martin, 2019. "The Economics of Change and Stability in Social Trust: Evidence from (and for) Catalan Secession," Working Paper Series 1301, Research Institute of Industrial Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:iuiwop:1301
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • H77 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism
    • R50 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - General
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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