Abstract
This article investigates the dynamics of social capital formation and civic engagement in Romania following the transition from communism. Drawing on survey data and longitudinal analysis, the study examines how the communist legacy has shaped patterns of trust, association membership, and political participation in contemporary Romanian society.
Key Findings
The analysis reveals that Romania’s communist past continues to influence patterns of social capital and civic engagement more than two decades after the revolution. Interpersonal trust remains significantly lower than in Western European democracies, and formal associational life is comparatively underdeveloped.
- Informal social networks remain stronger than formal civic organisations
- Urban-rural divides significantly affect civic participation patterns
- Younger generations show higher levels of engagement with new forms of civic participation
- Church-based social capital plays a distinctive role in Romanian civil society
Methodology
The study utilises data from the European Values Survey and Romanian Social Barometer, complemented by qualitative case studies of civic organisations in Bucharest and three regional cities. The longitudinal perspective allows tracking of changes in social capital indicators over the transition period.
Implications
The findings suggest that building robust civil society in post-communist contexts requires sustained investment in institutional frameworks that support associational life, alongside targeted programmes that bridge urban-rural and generational divides in civic participation.
