Revisiting the issue of social capital in public participation: a systematic review of Russian scientific publications

About the author:

Agafonova Daria Yu., Postgraduate Student, Department of General and Economic Sociology, University of Tyumen, Tyumen, Russia
d.y.agafonova@utmn.ru, https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1848-1646

Abstract:

The article presents a systematic review of Russian academic literature devoted to the study of social capital and civic engagement. The aim of this study is to identify the specific characteristics of civic engagement’s social capital as an object of scientific inquiry within the Russian academic discourse. The review covers the current state and challenges of research on this form of social capital, as well as an analysis of existing methodological approaches and conceptual frameworks. The main findings indicate that, despite the multifaceted nature of the concept of social capital, three core components are consistently highlighted: trust, social ties, and norms of reciprocity. The variability in how these components are operationalized is reflected in the use of both quantitative and qualitative research methods — ranging from aggregating indicators into composite indices to conducting expert interviews and focus groups. The study also identifies a wide range of indicators, spanning objective measures of actual involvement to subjective ones like initiative, perceptions of citizenship, and attitudes toward collective action. Results confirm that the components of social capital demonstrate a stable association with civic engagement. However, the role of trust in shaping civic engagement remains statistically “hidden” due to its nonlinear distribution — a challenge addressed through composite indices. The academic novelty of the study lies in its systematization and critical analysis of Russian literature on this relationship. By compiling previously fragmented domestic research, it identifies persistent trends, methodological gaps, and context-specific factors influencing civic social capital theory in Russia. This work helps revitalize the field and charts directions for future study. It shows that social capital positively correlates with various forms of civic engagement, though the strength and mechanisms of influence vary across components.

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