Cultural warfare and trust

<p>Cultural warfare and trust: fighting the Mafia in Palermo concentrates on a central issue in research on democratic processes: the development of generalised trust. The existence of generalised trust and confidence in a society is decisive for economic development and an effective democracy. Is it possible to fight persistent values of distrust and non-cooperation? Is it possible to support the development of generalised trust through public action and education?<br><br>The book addresses these questions by examining political efforts to combat Palermo's Mafia-controlled heritage and to turn a tradition of non-cooperation and distrust into cooperation and trust. In particular it focuses on the school program launched in Palermo during the mid-1990s which was designed to break the Mafia's territorial and mental control.<br><br>Combining theories on social capital and civic education the author presents and analyses new quantitative and qualitative research carried out in seven public schools in Palermo. <br><br>This book will be valuable to students academics and researchers interested in social capital and trust Italian politics civic education organised crime local government and democratic practice.</p>