Catholicism and social capital

Abstract

The legacies of communism and the consequences of the systemic transitions are not the only factors that affected social capital building across post-communist Europe. The long-term influence of religious traditions also plays a crucial role in the development of social capital. Central Eastern Europe is diversified with regard to dominant religions: among post-communist countries there are Catholic, Orthodox and two Protestant countries (three when including East Germany, see section 2.4).