Original scientific paper

INTERNET SOCIAL NETWORKS, SOCIAL CAPITAL, AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

Željko Pavić ; University of J.J. Strossmayer, Osijek, Croatia
Antun Šundalić ; University of J.J. Strossmayer, Osijek, Croatia

Abstract

Social capital refers to positive consequences of social connections on goal attainment, while civic associations, i.e. civic participation represents one of its sources. Social capital strengthens generalized trust and political participation. Bearing in mind that social connections increasingly move from physical to virtual world, the main goal of this paper was to compare the impact of membership in civic organizations and membership in online social networks on political participation and political attitudes. In order to test the research hypotheses, a field survey research on a sample of youth population between 18 and 35 years old (N=335) was conducted. The research brought mixed results, with neither online or offline social capital showing strong impact on political participation and political attitudes, even though in most cases online social capital was the stronger predictor. Thus, the authors conclude that internet ties have stronger impact on political phenomena when compared to classical civic associations.

Keywords

social capital; Internet; political participation; political attitudes; survey research

Hrčak ID:

149018

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/149018

Publication date:

15.10.2015.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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