Civil Society, Social Capital, and the State in Comparative Perspective
This MIT OpenCourseWare seminar examines how social networks, community norms, and civic associations shape political and economic outcomes. Discussion sessions cover the concepts of social capital and civil society as they relate to local public goods provision, democratic performance, ethnic conflict, and even funding for terrorism. The course draws on comparative case studies across different regions and political systems to test whether dense associational life reliably produces better governance or social welfare. Materials include a full syllabus, weekly reading assignments drawn from political science and sociology literature, and discussion questions used to structure class sessions. No video lectures are included; the course is built around independent reading and analytical writing. Free to access through MIT OpenCourseWare, with no certificate offered.