The 'dark side' of social capital (E-Book, PDF)

Essay from the year 2003 in the subject Sociology - Work, Profession, Education, Organisation, grade: B, University of Bath (European Studies and Modern Languages), language: English, abstract: Social CapitalSuch things as trust, the willingness and capacity to cooperate and coordinate,the habit of contributing to a common effort even when noone is watching [].11. IntroductionThe idea of social capital that developed in sociology has in recent years spread allover the disciplines and become more influential in politics and economics as well. Itis known to make economy flourish and increase the democratic performance of astate. Social bonds lower the costs of working together, social capital facilitates cooperation.People have the confidence to invest in collective activities, knowing thatothers will also do so. With the rising interest in social capital, the concept has almostbeen canonised. Social capital and the idea of civil society emerging from it oftenappear as the cure-all to every single one of our problems.The features of social organisation, such as trust, norms, and networks, that canimprove the efficiency of society by facilitating coordinated actions2 is how Putnamdefines social capital; and indeed, those factors seem very appealing. But a denseconcept of relations and trust, connectedness, networks and groups, the belief inreciprocity and exchanges, common rules, norms and sanctions3 is not entirelypositive and harmless and therefore should not be embraced unquestioned. As everyother concept, social capital as well is a two edged sword. Relationships matter4, ishow Field summarizes the central thesis of the theory. And she is right. This essaytries to show that in fact a whole range of different kinds of relationships do exist insociety, and that not all of them have a positive impact on the common good.1 Solow, 2000, 72 Putnam, 1993, 1693 central aspects of social capital as identified by Pretty/Ward, 20014 Field, 1996, 1