Social Capital

Social capital is the is the social connections that allow for social interactions in which an individual has opportunities to build bonds, help others out, and affect change for the better. When the social engagement is reciprocated, it can produce benefits for the multiple individuals engaged in the activity and so further the circumstance of the society.

Social capital is defined as the capacity of social institutions, such as families, churches, schools, or other community organizations to make an investment of attention and advice, support and concerned interest in other community members according to reformer L.J. Hanifan. As a dependent of the community social capital is applied to my everyday life. It helps me to obtain resources for my education such as scholarships, teaches me how to work together with my peers, becoming a positive role model to youth, and build trusting relationships with others in the community. Social capital is seen as a support group from leaders in the community.

Social network and social connectedness are important to the health of not only individual human beings but also the community and even the entire society. However, the connection among people had been declining for years. As Robert Putnam analyzes in his “Bowling Alone: America’s Declining Social Capital,” America’s national election turnout declines, possibly implying the decline in civic engagement and even the democracy. He stresses the importance of the traditional, face-to-face interactions among people as the fundamental means to build up social connectedness. Besides the reasons he gives in his article, I think the decline in social networking also ties to the city constructions (idea inspired by the video “The Social Life of Small

When introducing consumption practices in Chapter 4, Berdahl links desirous capital with higher social status; however, the definition of desirous capital changed under the socialist system. Beginning in 1952, the collectivization of agriculture forced the landowning elite from power and instituted an economic system “based on a logic of centralized planning, the aim of which was to maximize the redistributive power of the state” (115). This system gave rise to a second economy in which underground trade and gift-giving compensated for the lack of goods available from the state. In more specific terms, consumption practices — a form of economic activity — focused on hoarding rare commodities and earning access to goods. Given this economic environment, new identities and inequalities developed: “Not only was there often a strategic element in social life, but social relations themselves became an important form of capital. Connections replaced property as an indictor of social status” (122). Here Berdahl emphasizes the shift from physical capital to social capital as desirous. With the accumulation of social capital needed in the second economy, a new elite formed consisting of people such as J.R. and Barbara Becker (126-132). Returning to the argument of this paper, this shift in economic practice — which created new identities

High social capital refers to the social connections which exist between people who shared their values and norms of behavior, which enable and encourage cooperation. According to Portes and Rumbaut, “since there are many families who do not possess the means to promote educational success, initiation of resources to

The impact of social capital theories on methods of politics, economics, and social issues was largely unprecedented when Robert Putnam conducted his research in Italy in the 70’s and 80’s and published Making Democracy Work: Civic Traditions in Modern Italy. It has since been greeted with both endorsement and disapproval, with equal validations for both sides. Authors Filippo Sabetti, The Search for Good Government: Understanding the Paradox of Italian Democracy, and Shari Berman, “Civil Society and the Collapse of the Weimar Republic”, agree that Putnam’s research was flawed, rendering his argument unsound. At a very basic level, Putnam’s argument can be surmised as believing “social context and history profoundly condition the effectiveness

For this reading reflection on Chapter eight from Berkman, was based on social capital, social cohesion, and health. By the introduction of the chapter, it goes over the definition of social capital and its theoretical pathways that links into health. According to the text, social capital is being defined as “resources that are accessed by individuals as a result of their membership of a network or a group” (Berkman 291). For the theoretical pathways of social capital to health, it goes over the three group-level mechanisms merit that is relevant to health outcomes is social contagion, informal social control, and collective efficacy, where they all benefit to their group such as a community (Berkman 293). However, there is a dark side to social

Trying to understand why crime happens if a very important concept. Throughout history, criminologist have debated on which theory of crime is most accurate. Currently, social bond and social learning theory are two of the leading theories in the criminological world. Between these two theories there are a variety of differences and similarities. In addition to these theories Gottfredson and Hirschi have published a book where they use the concept of self control to describe crime. Analyzing these three theories can be important to understanding the current criminological world.

Social Capital is defined as the networks of relationships among people, enabling that society to function effectively. James Coleman’s “Social Capital in the Creation of Human Capital” examines the many benefits of social capital in a society. However, most forms of social capital are public goods and do not primarily profit the person who has to bring it about. Therefore, it’s not in his interest to bring it leading to a shortage. Coleman wants to apply economics’s principle of rational action to the social perspective to increase people’s willingness to socialize. On the other hand, Alejandro Portes’s “The Two Meanings of Social Capital” challenges Coleman’s concept by arguing that people shouldn’t

Social capital can be found any many different forms, but when discussing similarities and difference in church and the workplace it is very close to comparing apples and oranges. My view is that when we are at work there is not much time for talking of politics, except for a small time frame during lunch, the occasional smoke break (if you’re a smoker). Although there are other small bites of time in passing that there is a sporadic case of networking that is happening while in passing. One of the biggest reason for the decline for social capital in the workplace are unions are not as common as they were in earlier years. Since the mid 1950’s unions have tumbled from 32.5% to 14.1% (Putnam, 2000, p. 81). The cause for this decline of unions in today’s work I feel stems from not needing unions since there already is so many other labor enforcement protection agencies in place unions are a thing of the past. Large and growing fraction of the American workforce has nonstandard jobs (temp-workers, independent contractors, on call workers) ( (Putnam, 2000, p. 90). Additionally, the economy and the lack of well-paying jobs are still in hiding, regardless what is being reported. According to a Roper poll the proportion of Americans satisfied with their jobs fell from 46% in mid-1970’s to 36% in 1992; some of this disaffection is traceable to concerns of about job security and personal finances (Putnam, 2000, p. 91).

Whole Foods builds both human and social capital. Human capital is built initially upon hire. The company sets out to hire good people and train them well so they are capable of becoming high performers (Kreitner and Kinicki, 1998, p. 30).Educating the new hire not only on the specific job description, but on the mission of the company will secure the “buy in” to the vision of the company.

Putnam defined social capital as the features of social organizations such as networks, norms, and social trust that facilitate the coordination as well as cooperation for mutual benefit. He emphasizes the many dimensions of the concept of social capital, and the importance of “horizontal” ties, which are networks of individual citizens and groups that enhance community productivity and cohesion bringing about positive social capital, rather than vertical ones of self-serving groups and hierarchical systems.(Putnam 9) However, Putnam has found that over time the social capital is declining in the United States, making America far less ‘connected’, which he presents in “Bowling Alone”, in that people spend drastically less time meeting with others and socializing with

Involvement is evident in the P. A.L program through the many activities that they offer to the kids so that there is something for everyone. The program offers things ranging from “arts & crafts, computer classes, culinary arts, dances, field trips, gymnastics, jewelry making, tutoring and personal development; as well as local, state and national tournaments in basketball, golf, karate, soccer and softball.” ("Pasadena pal program," 2012) With all these activities available to the kids, it is no doubt that some of the kids participate in more than one of

Economic Capital includes the following Money or financial resources, institutionalized by property rights and laws about private property. Cultural Capital is composed of Knowledge and possession of the ‘rules of the game’ in

Social economy is stated as the economic growth that doesn't only consist of the private or public involvement, but both the parties and every individual of the community involves in the social well-being and betterment of society. According to the definitions, social economy could not only be defined by a single explanation because the scope of the study is wide. Social economy is a point that focuses on the wide range of activities that are carried out by the diverse group of networks in order to achieve harmony in the society (Uluorta, 2009). The social economy is based on the charitable sectors, non-profit organizations, credit unions, self-help projects, local business, community enterprises and voluntary sectors. In fact, social economy is based on all those