Journal of Contemporary Issues in Business and Government

The article aims to present the elements of the social capital of young people living in Cieszyn Silesia. For this purpose, the author exploits Znaniecki’s concept of expansive aspirations for independence and Putnam’s concept of bridging capital (bridging capital).The study was conducted from October 2012 to January 2013 in Cieszyn Silesia, in schools located in Cieszyn, Skoczów, Ustroń and Istebna.

The purpose of this article is to analyze the importance of educational capital. In post-communist societies such as Poland, the process of shaping the social structure is slightly different in comparison to societies in countries like France or England. In this respect, the role of education may turn out to be much more important in acquiring cultural capital. The research was carried out in Poland, in Cieszyn Silesia, at schools located in Cieszyn, Skoczów, Ustroń and Istebna between October 2012 and January 2013. The research group consisted of students from high schools and colleges. The students’ year of birth was between 1994-1997. The total number of students of secondary schools in 2012/2013 was 5413. Survey results show that in Cieszyn Silesia, social capital acts as a kind of katalysator between inherited and acquired capital and helps acquire high educational capital