Knowra Social cohesion Social cohesion Social cohesion is the degree of trust, belonging, and cooperation among members of a society. It reflects how strongly people feel connected to one another and to shared institutions.
Social trust : The expectation that other people will act reliably or fairly, especially beyond close personal relationships. Trust between strangers makes cooperation possible beyond family and personal networks.
Reciprocity : A pattern of responding to help or harm with comparable actions, creating expectations of mutual exchange. Reciprocal exchanges reinforce expectations that cooperation will be returned.
Democratic legitimacy : The public belief that a political system and its decisions have a rightful claim to authority. Trust and belonging affect whether people accept collective decisions, including unwanted outcomes.
World Values Survey : A global research project that surveys values, beliefs, and attitudes across countries and over time. Its measures of trust and social attitudes help compare dimensions related to cohesion.
Social capital : Resources and advantages available through relationships, networks, and shared norms. Networks and reciprocal norms provide practical ties that can sustain collective life.
Civic engagement : Participation in activities that address public concerns or influence community and political life. Civic participation gives people repeated opportunities to cooperate across social groups.
Public goods : Goods that are non-excludable and non-rivalrous, such as clean air or national defense. Providing shared benefits often depends on people accepting obligations toward one another.
European Social Survey : A cross-national survey that measures attitudes, beliefs, and behavior across European countries. Its repeated data allow researchers to track trust, belonging, and participation across Europe.
Social identity : A person’s sense of self shaped partly by membership in social groups. Shared group identities can create belonging, while competing identities can divide society.
Procedural justice : The perceived fairness of the processes used by authorities to make decisions and treat people. Fair procedures can build confidence in institutions shared by people with different interests.
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