Assessing Three Theories of Generalized Trust: Evidence from East Asia.

In this paper we examine the sources of generalized trust as a key component of social capital. We contrast three competing accounts for generalized trust and explore their individual-level implications in the context of East Asia. The analysis shows that social networks, state institutions and cultural values played a varying role in the generalization of trust. Contrary to the networks-based accounts network involvement had limited influence. Similarly, contrary to the cultural accounts, optimism and egalitarianism had more limited influence. In contrast, key features of "good government" such as abidingness and transparency consistently contributed to generalized trust. Yet, not every state institution mattered equally. Especially, institutions of accountability which ultimately assure "good government" had no positive independent influence. East Asian evidence suggests that a law-abiding, transparent and effective lawenforcing government is one of the important institutional conditions for the development of generalized trust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]