Working Paper 57 is dedicated to education and social capital.
In this paper, Gerard Ferrer-Esteban (Fondazione Agnelli) and Mauro Mediavilla (Universitat de Valencia and Institut d’Economia de Barcelona – IEB) conduct research on the role of education as a potential driver for the growth of civic conscience and social capital.
The research was based on Italian data gathered with a pseudo-panel approach. Its outcomes support the conclusion that participation in the formal education system may increase social capital and civic engagement. Education’s positive impact is stronger in Italy’s southern regions and islands, where social capital levels are typically lower.