"Social capital is 'the networks of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling that society to function effectively.'"
Examination of how social networks and relationships impact political power and social structures.
Definition of Social Capital: Social capital is a concept that explains the value, resources, and benefits individuals and groups receive as a result of their network, relationships, trust, and norms.
Types of Social Capital: There are three types of social capital: bonding, bridging, and linking. Bonding social capital describes close relationships between people who share the same identity or background, bridging social capital describes connections among people of different cultural or social groups, and linking social capital describes ties between groups of different levels of status, such as citizens and politicians.
Relation between Social Capital and Collective Action: Social capital can be used to facilitate collective action, which is the ability of individuals to come together and pursue a common goal. Trust, norms, and networks built through social capital can increase the likelihood of collective action being successful.
Social Capital and Political Participation: Social capital can encourage political participation because it provides people with a sense of community and belonging, which can increase their motivation to take part in political activities.
Social Capital and Social Welfare: Social capital can improve social welfare by enabling communities to self-regulate and reduce the need for external control.
The Role of Institutions in Social Capital Formation: Institutions, such as schools or religious organizations, play a significant role in forming social capital. They provide opportunities for people to build networks, trust, and shared norms.
The Role of Networks in Social Capital Formation: Networks are essential for social capital formation because they provide individuals with access to information, knowledge, and resources that they would not have otherwise.
The Relationship between Social Capital and Economic Growth: Social capital is positively correlated with economic growth because it increases trust and cooperation among individuals and organizations, leading to more efficient and productive collaborations.
Social Capital and Social Inequality: Social capital can reinforce social inequality if it is exclusive and only benefits certain groups.
Social Capital and Civic Engagement: Social capital can promote civic engagement by increasing the likelihood that people will join organizations or participate in community events.
Bonding Social Capital: This type of social capital is created within stable and homogenous social groups like families, religious groups, or ethnic communities. The primary function of this social capital is to create a sense of solidarity and strength within a group.
Bridging Social Capital: Bridging social capital refers to the relationships and connections that exist between different social groups. It promotes diversity and the exchange of ideas between different communities or organizations.
Linking Social Capital: This type of social capital refers to the connections and relationships between individuals and institutions at different levels of society. It is essential for individuals to have these connections to access resources and opportunities outside of their immediate social network.
Institutional Social Capital: Institutions, such as universities, corporations, and government agencies, have networks of relationships that create social capital. Institutional social capital is often associated with the provision of resources, such as knowledge, funding, or access to power.
Cultural Social Capital: This type of social capital represents the norms, values, beliefs, and symbols that shape social interactions. It may be associated with shared interests, beliefs, and practices within a community or social group.
Intellectual Social Capital: Intellectual social capital refers to the human capital possessed by individuals or groups, such as knowledge, skills, and expertise. It often plays a significant role in the development of social and economic structures in societies.
Normative Social Capital: Normative social capital is rooted in social norms and behaviors that are widely accepted and lead to social cohesion. This type of social capital builds trust and promotes cooperation, often brokering the exchange of information.
Civic Social Capital: Civic social capital comprises organizations, networks, and norms that facilitate collective action for the public good, such as volunteer organizations, community associations, and social movements. It's essential to the functioning of a democratic society.
Spiritual Social Capital: This type of social capital is rooted in spirituality, faith, or religion. It creates a sense of shared purpose, trust, and meaning among people who share similar spiritual beliefs, providing as much social support as economic support.
Emotional Social Capital: Emotional social capital pertains to the qualities of social relationships, such as trust, support, and social assistance. Emotional social capital is important for individual well-being, reducing stress, anxiety and increasing resilience.
"It involves the effective functioning of social groups through interpersonal relationships, a shared sense of identity, a shared understanding, shared norms, shared values, trust, cooperation, and reciprocity."
"Social capital is a measure of the value of resources, both tangible (e.g., public spaces, private property) and intangible (e.g., actors, human capital, people)."
"[Social capital measures] the impact that ideal creators have on the resources involved in each relationship, and on larger groups."
"Some have described it as a form of capital that produces public goods for a common purpose."
"Social capital has been used to explain the improved performance of diverse groups, the growth of entrepreneurial firms, superior managerial performance, enhanced supply chain relations, the value derived from strategic alliances, and the evolution of communities."
"Social capital measures the value of tangible resources such as public spaces and private property."
"Social capital measures the value of intangible resources such as actors, human capital, and people."
"[Social capital enables] that society to function effectively."
"It involves the effective functioning of social groups through interpersonal relationships."
"[Shared understanding within social capital includes] shared norms, shared values, trust, cooperation, and reciprocity."
"Social capital has been used to explain [...] the evolution of communities."
"[Shared sense of identity within social capital includes] a shared understanding, shared norms, shared values, trust, cooperation, and reciprocity."
"[Social capital explains] the value derived from strategic alliances."
"Social capital has been used to explain the growth of entrepreneurial firms."
"Social capital has been used to explain enhanced supply chain relations."
"This does not align with how it has been measured."
"Social capital has been used to explain the improved performance of diverse groups."
"Social capital is a measure of the value of resources."
"Social capital includes both tangible and intangible resources."