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Networks for Civic Engagement? Neighbourhood Councils and Faith-based Organizations in Los Angeles

Understanding how civic associations shape individuals' understanding of and participation in local political affairs requires a focus on the structural and affective networks engendered by associations. Using micro-level network data, we analyse the networks developed by two different forms of voluntary associations: neighbourhood councils and faith-based organizations. These associations were chosen to examine common assumptions about the bridging and bonding characteristics of differing associational types and the contention that faith-based associations provide their members with compensating network resources. We find that associations' internal (bonding) networks varied more within type than across types. Moreover, the affective content of relationships play an important contextualizing effect, calling into question the usefulness of common associational typologies. We also find that neighbourhood councils have richer bridging networks, which qualifies the degree to which faith-based associations can compensate for inequitable distribution of political resources.