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Social Capital and Perception of Democracy in Japan

Research Project

Project/Area Number 11420019
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field Politics
Research InstitutionDOSHISHA UNIVERSITY

Principal Investigator

NISHIZAWA Yoshitaka  Doshisha University, Political Science, Professor, 法学部, 教授 (40218152)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) HIRANO Hiroshi  Gakushuin University, Political Science, Professor, 法学部, 教授 (90222249)
IKEDA Ken'ichi  University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology, Professor, 大学院・人文社会系研究科, 教授 (30151286)
MIYAKE Ichiro  Kansai University, Faculty of Informatics, Former professor, 総合情報学部, 教授 (60066157)
Project Period (FY) 1999 – 2000
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2001)
Budget Amount *help
¥13,900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥13,900,000)
Fiscal Year 2000: ¥11,500,000 (Direct Cost: ¥11,500,000)
Fiscal Year 1999: ¥2,400,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,400,000)
KeywordsSocial Capital / Political Participation / Trust / Group Membership / Communication / Democracy / Snowball Sample / スノーボール・サンプル / 民主主義 / 社会資本 / 価値観 / 平等感 / 世論調査 / スノーボールサンプル / ソーシャル・キャピタル / social capital / 公正
Research Abstract

One of the objectives of this project was to empirically test the following hypothesis:
"The larger the amount of social capital that citizens possess, the more frequently they engage in political activities. As the social capital is accumulated in daily social interactions (daily conversation), daily social interaction also enhances political participation. The amount of social capital, in turn, influences support for the political system."
To test this we conducted a nationwide "snowball" sample survey, and reached a following set of observations:
- Group memberships, in general, enhance a sense of general trust and reciprocity among citizens. It is important, however, that they participate in them actively.
- Even hierarchical group membership, along with horizontal group membership can promote political participation.
- The analysis with the "snowball" samples which is more objective in its measurement of network environment suggests that the network hypothesis is supported in a limited scope. It is only the political activeness of the spouse, and not of others that can influence the likelihood of the main respondent being involved with political activities.
- The data do not support the claim that the recent decline in political support in Japan can be attributed to a changing nature of social capital among Japanese.

Report

(3 results)
  • 2001 Final Research Report Summary
  • 2000 Annual Research Report
  • 1999 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (4 results)

All Other

All Publications (4 results)

  • [Publications] 池田謙一: "2000年衆議院選挙における社会関係資本とコミュニケーション"日本選挙学会年報 選挙研究 17号. (印刷中). (2002)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2001 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] 平野浩: "社会関係資本と政治参加・・団体・グループ加入の効果を中心に・・"日本選挙学会年報 選挙研究 17号. (印刷中). (2002)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2001 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Ikeda, Ken'ichi: "Social Capital and Social Communication in Japan: Analysis on Survey Data on Political Participation before and during the General Election 2000"Japanese Journal of Electoral Studies. 17, (forthcoming). (2002)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2001 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Hirano, Hiroshi: "Political Participation and Forms of Social Capital"Japanese Journal of Electoral Studies. 17, (forthcoming). (2002)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2001 Final Research Report Summary

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Published: 1999-04-01   Modified: 2016-04-21  

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