ABSTRACT
Since modern times the building of “good” social capital among and between citizens has been discussed as a necessary building block for democracies to flourish. The concept is closely linked to the debate about civil society. Tocqueville (1805-59) has already stressed the role of independent associations as civil society (De la Democratie en Amérique). He sees these associations as “schools of democracy” in which democratic thinking, attitudes and behaviour are learned, also with the aim to protect and defend individual rights against potentially authoritarian regimes and tyrannical majorities in society. According to Tocqueville these associations should be built voluntarily and on all levels (local, regional, national). Thus, civic virtues like tolerance, acceptance, honesty and trust are really integrated into the character of civic individuals. They contribute to trust and confidence and – as it has later been discussed “social capital” (Putnam 2000: 19-26).
