Social capital

What is social capital?

The Community Development Foundation describes social capital as increasing the confidence and capacity of individuals and small groups to get involved in activities and build mutually supportive networks that hold communities together.

The 2002 document 'Social Capital, a Discussion Paper' by the Performance and Innovation Unit is more specific. It says:

"Social capital consists of the networks, norms, relationships, values and informal sanctions that shape the quantity and co-operative quality of a society’s social interactions. Social capital can be measured using a range of indicators but the most commonly used measure is trust in other people."

Social capital, a discussion paper – on the Cabinet Office website.

The three main types of social capital are:

1. bonding
2. bridging
3. linking.

Bonding

Relates to common identity, for example ties among people who are similar to each other.

Type of participation: within communities.

Role in civil society: shared common purpose, for example members of families, ethnic groups, clubs.

Bridging

Relates to diversity, for example ties among people who are different from one another.

Type of participation: across communities.

Role in civil society: dialogue between different interests and views in the public sphere, for example associations, fellowships, trade unions.

Linking

Relates to power, for example ties with those in authority or between different social classes.

Type of participation: between communities and organisations and with structures outside communities.

Role in civil society: access to power institutions and decision making processes, for example local authorities, representatives on LSPs.

How to use social capital

Consideration of these contexts suggests clear ways in which the quality of social capital is relevant to LSPs, LAAs and the work of local government.