Conflict as a Differentiating Factor of Social Capital in Former Yugoslav Republics

Publikacja naukowa. This monograph delves into the complex relationship between conflict and social capital, with a focus on the post-Yugoslav states. It explores how armed conflict impacts the ability of individuals to build networks of trust, solidarity, and cooperation in the face of division. By analyzing the experiences of the former Yugoslav republics, this work investigates the role of social capital in societies shaped by war, political transformation, and the challenges of post-conflict reconciliation. The book begins with a theoretical foundation, discussing social capital from both traditional and contemporary perspectives. It then moves on to explore the socio-political landscape of the former Yugoslavia, highlighting the ongoing challenges these countries face as they attempt to rebuild after years of conflict. Using original research conducted among young people across the region, the study examines how the intensity of conflict affects the formation of social capital, focusing on the elements of citizenship, social networks, security, and trust. The analysis also provides a comparative look at how social capital varies across the different republics, offering insights into the process of healing and the barriers to building a cohesive, unified society in the aftermath of war. By focusing on the generation born after the conflict, the work adds a unique dimension to the study of social capital, showing how individuals in deeply divided societies are navigating the long road to recovery. This book contributes to the ongoing discourse on the rebuilding of societies affected by conflict, offering empirical insights into the resilience of social capital and the possibility of forging common civic values in fragmented states.