The welfare state and social capital in Europe: Addressing a complex relationship through dimensionality

This thesis examines the complex relationship between social capital and the welfare state. Focusing on the measurement of both social capital and the welfare state, it highlights the importance of accounting for dimensionality in explaining the role of the welfare state in effecting social capital outcomes. It draws attention to how conflicting evidence for the welfare states influence on social capital relates to theoretical and methodological choices. Building on existing theory and evidence, it provides a workable framework for social capital that is theoretical and empirically substantiated.

The framing of the debate for the welfare state's role in effecting social capital outcomes is primarily within the context of the 'crowding-out' debate, which reflects the broader ideological narratives of the relationship between the individual, market and state. Here I draw attention to two limiting assumptions; i) that the welfare state 'crowds-in' or 'crowds-out' ii) that it affects everyone equally. These two issues form the basis for the first two research questions, where we aim to understand in what circumstances 'crowding-out' occurs and whether this varies according to socioeconomic factors. In the final analytical, I consider how the established dimensions of social capital relate to one another, highlighting the central role of trust in social capital formation and implications for welfare state policy.

The analyses combine European Quality of Life Survey data and contextual information using a range of quantitative methods, including multilevel modelling, structural equation modelling and path analysis. The findings show that generous and universal welfare provision is important for social capital outcomes but is limited in alleviating the inequalities between socioeconomic groups.