Social Capital Literature Review
What is social capital ? A Critical Literature Review
Student: Ying Jiang Instructor: Jorge Sousa Course: CED1
The theory of social capital is one of the most rapidly developing social science research fields in the last 20 years. In the dictionary of classical economics, capital, mainly physical capital, is considered to be a production concept of land, labor and entrepreneurial factors side by side. In the 1980s, since the American sociologist James Coleman first introduced the word “ Social Capital”, it had been widely applied gradually and is now considered as a ground contribution. The existing literature has evolved in-depth study in this theory in terms of basic concepts, measurement methods, and social economic performance of different angles. Although, there are still differences in understanding the theory, it has been widely accepted that the concept of social capital contains the core of network resources, mutual trust and cooperation behaviors.
Speaking of empirical studies, most of the literature support the hypotheses theory that social capital has a positive effect on social economy. Meanwhile, there are many studies have some criticism on existing empirical methods and conclusions. This paper will research the relevant results and historical literature review and make a summative comment.
1. Social Capital: Concepts, Characteristics and Classification
The concept of social capital can be traced to the time when Hanifan first formally proposed, thereafter, the concept began to be popular when the famous sociologist J.Coleman published “ Social Capital in the Creation of Human Capital ” in 1988.(Woolcock, 2000). Having been through continuous development and expansion in various disciplines, social capital becomes the most powerful social
Student: Ying Jiang Instructor: Jorge Sousa Course: CED1
The theory of social capital is one of the most rapidly developing social science research fields in the last 20 years. In the dictionary of classical economics, capital, mainly physical capital, is considered to be a production concept of land, labor and entrepreneurial factors side by side. In the 1980s, since the American sociologist James Coleman first introduced the word “ Social Capital”, it had been widely applied gradually and is now considered as a ground contribution. The existing literature has evolved in-depth study in this theory in terms of basic concepts, measurement methods, and social economic performance of different angles. Although, there are still differences in understanding the theory, it has been widely accepted that the concept of social capital contains the core of network resources, mutual trust and cooperation behaviors.
Speaking of empirical studies, most of the literature support the hypotheses theory that social capital has a positive effect on social economy. Meanwhile, there are many studies have some criticism on existing empirical methods and conclusions. This paper will research the relevant results and historical literature review and make a summative comment.
1. Social Capital: Concepts, Characteristics and Classification
The concept of social capital can be traced to the time when Hanifan first formally proposed, thereafter, the concept began to be popular when the famous sociologist J.Coleman published “ Social Capital in the Creation of Human Capital ” in 1988.(Woolcock, 2000). Having been through continuous development and expansion in various disciplines, social capital becomes the most powerful social
Bibliography: 1.Barro, R, 1991. “Economic Growth in a Cross-Section of Countries” Quarterly Journal of Economics, 106(2) 2 3. Bourdieu, P. 1986. “ The Forms of Capital.” Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education. New York: Greenwood Press, pp 241-258 4 5. Coleman, J. 1998. “Social Capital in the Creation of Human Capital” American Journal of Sociology. Vol. 94 6 7. Dasgupta, P. 2000. “Economic Progress and the Idea of Social Capital” World Bank, Washington, D.C 8 9. Durlauf, S. & Fafchamps, M. 2003. “Empirical Studies of Social Capital: A Critical Survey” Mimeo: University of Wisconsin 10 11. Fukuyama, F. 1999. “The Great Disruption” New York: Simon and Schuster 12 13. Grootaert, C. 1998. “ Social Capital: The Missing Link?” Social Capital Initiative Working Paper, No.3. The World Bank Social Development Family Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development Network. 14. Halpern, D. 1999. “ Social Capital: the New Golden Goose” Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Cambridge University. Unpublished Review. 15. Halpern, D. 2001. “Moral Value, Social Trust and Inequality- Can Values Explain Crime?” British Journal Criminology. Vol. 41, pp.236-251. 16. Karlan, D. 2003. Using Experimental Economics to Measure Social Capital and Predict Financial Decisions. Research Program in Development Studies Mimeo. Princeton University 17 19. OCED, 2001. The Well-Being of Nations- The Role of Human and Social Capital. OECD. Paris 20 21. Putnam, R.; Leonardi R. And Naetti, R. 1993. “ Making Democracy Work: Civil Traditions in Modern Italy” Princeton University Press. 22. Putnam, R. 2000. “Bowling Alone- The Collapse and Revival of American Community” Now York: Simon&Schuster 23 24. World Bank, 1998. The Initiative on Defining, Monitoring and Measuring Social Capital: Overview and Program Description. Washington, D.C: World Bank