Social capital

“Social capital tries to assert the role that social networks play in our sense of belonging to a community.”

The idea of social capital rests on the belief that relationships matter significantly to our perception of the world around us. Also at the heart of social capital is the view that social networks are a valuable asset, and those with a good stock of social capital are happier, healthier, and more productive. Much of this theory has highlighted the importance of association and civic community, including indicators such as tolerance and trust, informal ties involving leisure activities, and political and civic engagement together with changes to the family unit, geographic dispersal, and the growth of electronic entertainment. This has led to less need for people to leave the home, or indeed their room, to seek leisure activities.

Understanding social capital can be helpful when considering minority groups within a society and how their levels of social capital relate to others’ and again, how these link in with power politics, ideology and decision-making within a community. In order to increase people’s social capital, it is important to have designated, shared spaces for interaction, which can again be provided through intercultural dialogue.

For more information, see policy review - social capital.