Meta-analysis of Studies of Social Capital in Iran

The present paper is the outcome of a research titled “meta-analysis of the condition of social capital in Iran: the second wave” which was conducted in 2008. The main objectives of the research were: recognizing the condition of social capital in Iran, studying the trend of development and the obstacles in the way of formation of social capital as well as offering some mechanisms to increase it. The research methodology used in this research is meta-analysis, analyzing the results of 6-2 research works (including MA and Ph.D. theses, field works and academic-research papers). The findings of the research indicate that the condition of social capital is not similar in different fields; among the elements of social capital, the level of trust in the family and political system and also the level of social communications are high. In the political field, the level of trust in the political system is high, the level of trust in political institutions is medium and the level of trust in political institutions and political actors is relatively low. Also the level of people’s participation in different social fields is very low. The findings of the present research indicate that the level of such values as veracity, trust-keeping, and forgiveness among the people is low, but the level of prevalence of such counter-values as fraud and flattering are high. Also overall the level of total social capital in Iran is relatively high, but has been fluctuating in different years. The level of religiosity, education, the class status and age of the people are among the most important factors affecting the social capital. In conclusion some mechanisms for the improvement of social capital have been offered based on the findings of the present research.