CONTRIBUTING TO PUBLIC GOODS AND SAFEGUARDING COLLECTIVE RESOURCES IN EAST-CENTRAL EUROPE: THE ROLE OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL IDENTITY
CONTRIBUTING TO PUBLIC GOODS AND SAFEGUARDING COLLECTIVE RESOURCES IN EAST-CENTRAL EUROPE: THE ROLE OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL IDENTITY

Summary/Abstract: Challenges related to the creation of public goods and engagement in collective action in post-communist countries have previously been associated with a lack of social trust, the fragmentation of society, weak civic culture, citizens vs. state mentality or even fuzzy morality. One of the factors in the existing literature – the potential of which has not been sufficiently explored – is the role of collectivism, e.g., attachment to, and identification with a particular group. This paper aims to fill this gap and explores whether a strong national identity, which is characteristic to many ECE countries, can help to solve the problem of collective action, as well as public goods and common-pool resource dilemmas. The paper is based on a large-scale comparative survey of 14 East-Central European countries. The analysis shows that a strong sense of attachment to one’s nation and country can facilitate collective action – joining various groups and associations and their activities, donating and volunteering, and engaging in political activities. It also facilitates contributing to the public good by paying wages honestly, declaring and paying taxes and being environmentally conscious. The positive effect of these actions can be explained in different ways, but, as our analysis shows, it is likely based on empathy with one’s group, as well as on rational considerations.

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