Ethnic diversity and social capital of the Podlaskie voivodeship

Purpose – An assessment of the level of social capital in the context of ethnic diversity using the example of the Podlaskie voivodeship. Furthermore, showing the relationship between social capital and local and regional development. Research method – Quantitative and comparative analyses of selected indicators of the surveyed territorialunits (powiats of the Podlaskie Voivodeship) while maintaining the criterion of ethnic diversity. Data from the Central Statistical Office (Local Data Bank) and the National Electoral Commission for the period 2010-2018 were used. Results – The level of social capital is higher in multi-ethnic powiats, in particular as far as the civic dimension is concerned, which is measured by the use of passive and active voting rights. Similarly, the number of foundations, associations and social organizations per 1,000 inhabitants is higher in multiethnic powiats. As far as the level of entrepreneurship is concerned, the majority of powiats of diversified nationalities is insignificant, while single-nation powiats have higher rates in relation to membership in sports clubs.Originality / value / implications / recommendations – A thesis which is popular in the subject literature that ethnically diverse areas are characterized by lower social capital is not true in the case of the Podlaskie voivodeship, in which ethnic groups have been present for centuries. Consequently, it may be assumed that ethnic diversity has a negative impact on the level of social capital only temporarily.