Social ties and generalized trust: a study in three countries

In this article we provide evidence that social ties (family, friends and acquaintances) have significantly different effects on generalized trust. We build upon generalized trust research by Ermisch & Gambetta (2010) and Putnam (2000). Ermisch & Gambetta find evidence that strong family ties inhibit generalized trust. Putnam on the other hand claims that associational participation generates generalized trust in America. We claim that these two views can be combined on a theoretical level – in addition to our own theoretical arguments - to better explain how social ties affect generalized trust. We perform a multivariate regression analysis on ESS wave 1 (2002) data from the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Italy. Firstly we find that family ties have a negative effect on generalized trust in the Netherlands and the United kingdom, as Ermisch and Gambetta claim. Secondly we find that friendship ties have a positive effect on generalized trust in all countries. Finally we find that acquaintance ties have a positive effect on generalized trust in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.