Do Television and Radio Destroy Social Capital? Evidence from Indonesian Villages

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
Year: 2009
Volume: 1
Issue: 4
Pages: 1-33

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of television and radio on social capital in Indonesia. I use two sources of variation in signal reception -- one based on Indonesia's mountainous terrain, and a second based on the differential introduction of private television throughout Indonesia. I find that increased signal reception, which leads to more time watching television and listening to the radio, is associated with less participation in social organizations and with lower self-reported trust. Improved reception does not affect village governance, at least as measured by discussions in village meetings and by corruption in village road projects. (JEL L82, O15, Z13)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejapp:v:1:y:2009:i:4:p:1-33
Journal Field
General
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-26