NeglectNeglectNo No

resources?resources?

Community Community actionaction

Local resourcesLocal resources

Partnership?Partnership?Municipal Municipal resourcesresources

Dr Adriana M SoaitaCentre for Housing Research

University of St Andrews

On the nature of social capital On the nature of social capital under the post-communist under the post-communist

transition: views from transition: views from RomaniaRomania

Dr Adriana M SoaitaCentre for Housing Research

University of St Andrews

What is the changing nature What is the changing nature and and

forms of social capital in forms of social capital in Romania?Romania?

On the nature of social capital On the nature of social capital under the post-communist under the post-communist

transition: views from transition: views from RomaniaRomania

Social Capital Social Capital ± (soc. networks; resources; shared norms) ± (soc. networks; resources; shared norms)

Individual forms Actual or potential resources, linked to possession of a durable network of more or less institutionalised relationships of mutual acquaintances (Bourdieu)

Collective forms Features of social organization, such as networks, norms and trust that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefits (Putnam)

Positive consequencescommunity care, public safety, information; civicness, law abidingness, better economic & institutional performance

Negative consequencesexclusion, excessive claims, restriction on individual freedom, downwards levelling norms; corruption, illegality, criminality

Social Capital Social Capital ± (soc. networks; resources; shared norms) ± (soc. networks; resources; shared norms)

Negative/positive individual forms

Negative collective forms

Horizontal bonds and trust within family and friends Vertical ‘connections’ to resource gatekeepers Scarce basic goods Uncertainty and distrust for others

Forced, ritualistic participation in state organisations

Social Capital Social Capital under the communism regimeunder the communism regime

Organisational memberships by person

Older democracies

Post-authoritarian

Post- communist

Romania

1995 2.38 1.84 0.91 1.14

2000 2.11 1.39 0.62 0.31

1995/2000 -13% -38% -24% -73%

Social Capital Social Capital under the post-communist transitionunder the post-communist transition

The city of The city of PitestiPitesti

Residents in blocks & houses Residents in blocks & houses (250 quest., 48 interviews)(250 quest., 48 interviews)

Municipal decision-makers Municipal decision-makers (9 interviews)(9 interviews)

Housing professionals Housing professionals (12 interviews) (12 interviews)

What is your opinion about the participative What is your opinion about the participative culture in Romania, such as people gathering culture in Romania, such as people gathering together to solve their problems, express opinions together to solve their problems, express opinions collectively or just socialize? Can you give any collectively or just socialize? Can you give any examples? examples?

DataData

Low levels of engagement Low levels of engagement

Expressing ‘voice’ to the Expressing ‘voice’ to the LoGoLoGo

The status The status quoquo

Low levels of engagement Low levels of engagement

Negative formsThere is an ill will to use positions, money and nepotism only for perverse purposes: “Let’s help my nephew, poor thing, as he drove onto someone on a pedestrian crossing, at 100 miles a hour”! (male, 56)

The status The status quoquo

In mum’s village, it was a duty to keep the road clean. There were other rules that no one ever questioned (female, 50)

Everyone knows what is claca! I come and help you now, you come and help me tomorrow! Still practiced but more rarely (male, 48)

Continuity of traditional rural forms

I.SC: Positive forms still alive but declining

Rotational Credit AssociationsWedding practices

Other positive forms

Perverse formsCorresponding to the traffic of influence one could make, the “connections” one had, one got or not a flat. Oh, such a dirty traffic of influence existed around housing allocation! What an amoral swamp was the municipality! (male, 54)

I.SC: persistent communist legacies

State capture & illegitimacyThe same people remained in every important position. They kept their exclusive networks and traded among themselves (male, 59)

‘Informality’ & corruptionCorruption was transmitted from top to mass society, making every public employee easy to bribe and any “entrepreneur” a tax escapist (male, 57)

I.SC: The 1990s, spread of negative forms

InstitutionalizationI see a City Hall that works: every paper is recorded, whether a claim, suggestion or complaint, a good management of information since ’98-2000. I resolved my problems without any “gifts” (male, 36)

CommodificationChange of Rotational Credit Associations into BanksChange of ‘claca’ into informal market

I.SC: ‘Europeanization’ (2000s)Again networking? Again privilege? No, this is not the way forwards!(female, 47)

Freedom not to participateWe were told: You just stay put and quiet and I give you what you need! But if I tell “meeting”, you go to meeting! If I tell “applaud”, you applaud! (male, 68)

Distrust & constraintsPeople feel reluctant to participate as they’ve been cheated and disappointed too many times. The political class is culpable for this. Then, of course, other factors play a role such as lack of time, lack of structures, and poverty (The Mayor)

is a big zero!’ C.SC: ‘Citizens’ involvement in urban affairs

Built institutional transparency & accountability

Enable transparent ‘home-based’ civic engagement (email/phone)

Address technological/economic exclusion

Rejection of collectivism in favour of individualism

Final remarks:

Thank you

Rejection of collectivism in favour of individualism