Politics in Peer Groups: Exploring the Causal Relationship between Network Diversity and Political Participation

摘要: Social capital researchers have suggested that bridging ties are important for political participation. However, thus far the literature lacks testing on direction of this relationship: do diverse stimulate participation or does diversity among friends and acquaintances? This article examines how ethno-cultural within social networks influence a unique panel 4,235 young people in Belgium. The results reveal reciprocal cross-lagged effect. In particular, having politically increases participation, which turn promotes meeting others.