Geografie 2008, 113, 269-284
Regional differentiation of selected conditions for the development of human and social capital in Czechia
This article addresses the analysis of theoretical and methodological concepts of the quality of human and social capital and their relation to the theory of spatial polarisation. Selected conditions for the development of human and social capital and their territorial differentiation in Czechia are evaluated. On the basis of an evaluation of component indicators of human capital (the ratio of university educated residents in the population over 15 years of age as well as an economic burden index) and social capital (voter participation in municipal elections and the number of candidates divided by the number of offices to be filled in the 2006 municipal elections) problematic areas are identified at a micro-regional level (the network of municipalities having a certified municipal authority).
Keywords
human capital, social capital, potential development, rural areas, periphery, regional differentiation, Czechia.
Funding
This paper is the result of research findings sponsored by a financial grant project from the Czech Science Foundation GA ČR: No. 403/07/0743 "The role of human and social capital in the process of integration of peripheral regions into regional structures ofCzechia in the context of the new Europe", research project "Geographical systems and risk proccesses in context of global changes and European integration" MSM 0021620831 and MMR CR: No. WD-01-07-1 "Regional differentiation of rural municipalities of Czechia: disparities and possibilities of development". The authors would like to thank the sponsors for their financial support.
