Witchcraft beliefs and the erosion of social capital: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa and Beyond

Journal of Development Economics • Vol/Iss. 120 • Elsevier • Amsterdam • Published In • Pages: 182-208 •
By Gershman, Boris

Abstract

In this article, the author seeks to understand the effect of witchcraft beliefs (both personal and regional) on various measures of social capital. Through empirical tests, the author concludes that witchcraft beliefs are robustly associated with anti-social attitudes in 19 Sub-Saharan African countries. Specifically, they find that witchcraft and other supernatural beliefs significantly affect levels of both generalized trust and trust for people of other religions. They also find that these attitudes are present among second-generation immigrants to Europe who originate from these countries. The worldwide Standard Cross-Cultural Sample is also used to examine relationships between witchcraft, mistrust, and other anti-social behaviors.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS)by other researchers
Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Projectby other researchers
Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life Surveyby other researchers
Afrobarometer Surveyby other researchers
Demographic and Health Surveysby other researchersFrom the DHS Program which is run by USAID
Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveysby other researchers
Unique set of 19 Sub-Saharan countries

Hypotheses (11)

HypothesisSupported
Personal witchcraft beliefs will be negatively associated with generalized trustNot supported
Regional witchcraft beliefs will be negatively associated with generalized trustSupported
Personal witchcraft beliefs will be negatively associated with trust for people of other religionsSupported
Regional witchcraft beliefs will be negatively associated with trust for people of other religionsSupported
Certain other supernatural beliefs will be significantly associated with generalized trustSupport for 10 of 18 variables - see note for directions
Certain other supernatural beliefs will be significantly associated with trust for people of other religionsSupport for 8 of 10 variables - see note for directions
Regional witchcraft beliefs will be significantly associated with trust in various other types of people/authoritiesSupport for 6 of 10 variables - see note for direction
Witchcraft beliefs will be negatively associated with the inculcation of pro-social traits (trust, honesty, and generosity) among childrenSupport for 2 of 3 variables - see note for direction
Witchcraft beliefs will be positively associated with the inculcation of traits associated with toughness (aggressiveness, fortitude, and competitiveness) among childrenSupported
Witchcraft beliefs will be significantly associated with the inculcation of other traits (obedience, self-restraint, and industry) among childrenSupported - see note for directions
Witchcraft beliefs will be negatively associated with generalized trust among second-generation immigrants to EuropeSupported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: dmccloskey103  anj.droe