and civic participation), life satisfaction (contentment with respect to present condition

and future prospects), and interpersonal trust. The theory of social capital presumes that

the more people connect with each other, the more they trust each other. Civic

engagement refers to people's connections with the life of their communities (Scheufele

& Shah, 2000).

 In the social field paradigm, social action is the pivotal element. It is in social

action that various individuals and associations come to orient their activities around

overlapping interests (Garkovich, 1984). Christenson and Robinson (1989) discuss social

action as the key component in the social field paradigm. The underlying process of the

social action framework, is one in which associations are linked through common

interests to act together toward mutually defined goals. The process depends on effective

leadership, leadership that can anticipate change, identify action programs, contribute to

informed decisions, stimulate support, attract resources, and manage group behavior.

Leadership involves both the ability to organize and sustain task performance and arouse

or stimulate others to join in the task (Garkovich, 1984; Christenson & Robinson, Jr.,

1989).

 An essential characteristic of a properly functioning society is engagement in

civic activities because cooperative actions enable citizens to efficiently pursue common

goals. Self-confident leaders are more trusting in other people, they are satisfied with

their life and their achievements, and they are more likely to engage in various forms of

community activities. A grassroots political movement is a social capital-intensive form

of political participation (Scheufele & Shah, 2000).