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Bonds and Bridges: Social Capital and Poverty by Deepa Narayan* Poverty Group, Prem World Bank Section 1: Introduction Section 2: Definitions and Key Concepts Social Capability Social Exclusion Social Capital Civic Engagement Theoretical Foundations Section 3: the Analytical Framework Cross-cutting
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Narayan, Deepa |
| Abstract | 1 Increasing attention is being paid, in the World Bank and elsewhere, to the social aspects of development. A country's economic development is embedded in its social organization, and addressing structural inequities requires not only economic changes but also societal transformation (Stiglitz, 1998). But social phenomena are so all-pervasive, and often so vaguely defined, that taking them into account in a systematic way is actually very difficult. One approach to untangling and analyzing some of the social forces at work in development is through the concept of social capital. 2 The term refers in general to the glue that holds groups and societies together – bonds of shared values, norms and institutions (see Section 2, page 4 below for a fuller discussion). This paper concentrates on two aspects of social capital, " cross-cutting ties " and the interaction between informal and formal institutions. This interaction is characterized as one of complementarity or substitution. Although the focus is narrow, the paper argues that these elements of social capital and their interrelationship help explain a number of puzzles, and have important implications for policy. The argument, in brief, is as follows. • All societies are built from social groups rather than individuals, and these groups determine attitudes, beliefs, identities and values, as well as access to resources and opportunities – and ultimately access to power. Since most societies are not homogeneous, but are divided by class, caste, religion and ethnicity, groups differ in their access to resources and power. There may be high social capital within a group (" bonding " social capital) which helps members, but they may be excluded from other groups (they lack " bridging " social capital) 3. • Cross-cutting ties between groups open up economic opportunities to those belonging to less powerful or excluded groups. They also build social cohesion, a critical element in social stability and economic welfare over any extended period. Social cohesion requires not just 1 The framework for this paper was discussed at a two-day research workshop held at the World Bank in June 1998. Blaxall contributed useful comments on the present version. Veronica Nyhan and Magdalena Syposz provided valuable research assistance. 2 The term dates back at least to 1916, but was popularized in the last decade by the work of James Coleman (1988) and Robert Putnam (1995). A thorough review of the history and main concepts covered under the rubric of … |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://econ.worldbank.org/docs/877.pdf |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
