An oasis of democracy in an authoritarian sea? Civil society, social, and institutional trust in Georgia. Issue 1 (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ishiyama, John; Mezvrishvili, Lia; Zhgenti, Nina
• Is Part Of: Communist and post-communist studies. Volume 51:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 19
• Page End: 26
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: Georgia -- Social trust -- Institutional trust -- Civil society -- Caucasus barometer; Communism -- Periodicals; Post-communism -- Periodicals; Communisme -- Périodiques; Postcommunisme -- Périodiques; Communism; Post-communism; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 320.53205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.postcomstud.2018.01.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-067X

Abstract

Abstract: We examine whether the existence of civil society in Georgia has promoted social and institutional trust in the population. As much of the literature suggests, Georgia is different from its neighbors in that civil society development is more advanced. Does participation in civil society lead to more social and institutional trust? Using survey data from the Caucasus Barometer and the World Values Survey, we find that attitudes regarding social and institutional trust are more developed in Georgia than in its neighbors, and that activity in voluntary organizations is positively associated with social and institutional trust in Georgia.