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Social Capital, Communication Channels and Opinion Formation

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  • Christos Mavridis
  • Nikolas Tsakas

Abstract

We study how different forms of social capital lead to different distributions of multidimensional opinions by affecting the channels through which individuals communicate. We develop a model to compare and contrast the evolution of opinions between societies whose members communicate through bonding associations and societies where communication is through bridging associations. Both processes converge towards opinion distributions where there are groups within which there is consensus in all issues. Bridging processes converge to distributions that have, on average, fewer opinion groups and lower fractionalisation. We provide additional results that highlight the distinct characteristics of the two processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Christos Mavridis & Nikolas Tsakas, 2017. "Social Capital, Communication Channels and Opinion Formation," University of Cyprus Working Papers in Economics 08-2017, University of Cyprus Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucy:cypeua:08-2017
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Social Capital; Opinion Formation; Bounded Confidence; Bonding versus Bridging Associations;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D71 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Social Choice; Clubs; Committees; Associations
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State
    • Z1 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics

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