Thinking Outside the Big Box: The Relationship between Wal-Mart and Social Capital

Posted: 22 Feb 2011

See all articles by David S. Brown

David S. Brown

University of Colorado at Boulder - Department of Political Science

Anand E. Sokhey

University of Colorado at Boulder - Department of Political Science

Duncan Lawrence

Immigration Policy Lab, Stanford University

Abstract

A growing literature attempts to link Wal-Mart's presence in a community to rates of political participation and membership in civic associations. The debate is currently fought out by competing econometric models – some find a negative association between Wal-Mart and social capital, while others find that there is no relationship. To better examine the links that connect Wal-Mart to rates of social capital and civil society, we propose research that goes beyond aggregate statistical work at the county level. Using an original data set on Wal-Mart fights spanning the state of Colorado, we consider whether referenda, city council decisions, or city ordinances hostile to big box retail were used to prevent Wal-Mart from opening stores; we examine how these fights influenced rates of political participation, membership in civic organizations, attitudes regarding political efficacy, and participation in philanthropic organizations at the local level.

Suggested Citation

Brown, David S. and Sokhey, Anand E. and Lawrence, Duncan, Thinking Outside the Big Box: The Relationship between Wal-Mart and Social Capital. Western Political Science Association 2011 Annual Meeting Paper , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1767099

David S. Brown (Contact Author)

University of Colorado at Boulder - Department of Political Science ( email )

333 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0333
United States

Anand E. Sokhey

University of Colorado at Boulder - Department of Political Science ( email )

333 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0333
United States

Duncan Lawrence

Immigration Policy Lab, Stanford University ( email )

616 Serra St.
Stanford, CA 94305
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.immigrationlab.org

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