Civic involvement and social capital creation: evidence from the environmental sector in the republic of Cyprus

This article breaks from the dominant theoretical paradigms that link the efficient institutionalization of democracy with historically created social capital. Drawing on the approach put forward by Jonathan Fox and Douglas Chalmers, the author explores the possibilities for civic involvement and the creation of a social capital stock under less than democratic conditions. The approach is applied to the question of environment protection in the Republic of Cyprus.

Cypriot society is characterised by competitive behaviour - in the economic realm, behaviour can even be described as aggressive. Civic involvement for the public good is not understood as a mechanism for increasing prestige or wealth, and is therefore regarded with suspicion. For this and other reasons, those involved in civic matters - including environmental protection efforts - are rejected. The author describes the conflict lines and tensions that exist between government, community, and organisations on environmental issues. Patterns of cooperation nevertheless emerge as new forms of social interaction are established by individuals involved in the field of environment protection. The author provides an assessment of how far the new policy-making patterns observed in the environmental field improve Cypriot society's potential for democratisation. Through this analysis, the unique characteristics of associative networks when compared with social movements are revealed. Associative networks are described as networks of individuals or organisations integrated through their common preoccupation with certain issues. They utilise non-hierarchical modes of interaction, and allow for the establishment of the preconditions required for cognitive politics. Associative networks are favourable for the production of social capital, and allow for the establishment of relationship between state and societal actors.

(from PovertyNet)