Social Capital

My project plan is to build and strengthen the social networks of the youth.  To prepare the plan, I have reviewed the social capital theory again. 

Social capital is the relationships of trust embedded in social networks, and such embedded trust relationships enable actions (Light 2004).  Fields (2008:14) reflects social networks generate social cohesion so that people cooperate not only with those who know, but also with those who do not know for mutual benefits in long term.  Stone (2000, cited in Healy & Hampshire 2002) relates social capital to the norms and networks that produce collective actions to resolve problems and achieve common goals. The basic idea of social capital is networks of relations are valuable assets that allow people to work together to achieve something they either could not achieve by themselves, or could only achieve with great difficulty (Field 2008, Gilchrist 2004, Woolcock & Narayan 2000).  Social capital theory indicates ‘relationships matter’ (Fields 2008:1) and collaboration is a key element in build relationship.

But social capital is a coin of two sides. An exclusive network can lead to social exclusion and inequality (Bourdieu cited in Field 2008). The norm of reciprocity can place considerable burden of the poor whose resources are scare. Dependent on social networks alone to improve the livelihoods of the disadvantaged communities may ignore the destitute conditions of the poor. Therefore, the focus of community development is to build a socially inclusive network that supports people rather than exploit them.

References

Field, J 2008, Social Capital, 2nd edn, Routledge, New York.

Gilchrist, A 2004, THE WELL-CONNECTED COMMUNITY: A networking approach to community development, The Policy Press, Bristol

Healy, K & Hampshire, A 2002, ‘Social capital: a useful concept for social work?’, Australian Social Work, vol.55, no.3, pp.227-238.

Light, I 2004, ‘Social Capital’s Unique Accessibility’, Hutchinson, J & Vidal, AC, 2004, ‘Using Social Capital to Help Integrate Planning Theory, Research, and Practice’, Journal of the American Planning Association, vol.70, no.2, pp.145-151.

Woolcock, M & Narayan, D 2000, ‘Social Capital: Implications for Development Theory, Research and Policy’, The World Bank Research Observer, vol.15, no.2, pp.225-244.