Paper abstract:

This study explores the possibility of accumulated social capital in the EAEU countries to influence their integration. Based on the study of existing concepts of social capital and methods for its measurement, the structural composition of social capital is determined, which is necessary for a comparative analysis across the EAEU countries. The subsequent analysis of the components shows that in all countries the distribution of the components has much in common. Everywhere, the component “personal and family relations” makes the most significant contribution to the final value of social capital.

All member countries of the EAEU are characterized by a low score of the “institutional trust” component. The same conclusion can be drawn with regard to the “civil and social activity” component. In all countries in 2022, it shows the lowest score. This distribution by components is a classic picture of a society with underdeveloped social capital. Citizens of such countries trust only close people, socially and politically inert.

The multidirectional nature of dependencies, different rates and directions of change in ratings do not allow us to conclude that there is any significant impact of the value of social capital in the participating countries on the supranational institutions of the EAEU.