Social CapitalSocial Capital and and

Community Community

The Planning ProcessThe Planning Process

Identify the problem:Identify the problem: You cannot You cannot solve something if you do not know solve something if you do not know what the problem is. Ensure you have what the problem is. Ensure you have identified the real problem, not an identified the real problem, not an effect of another problem. One effect of another problem. One method is the "five why's." You ask method is the "five why's." You ask why five times. By the time you get to why five times. By the time you get to the fifth why, you should have found the fifth why, you should have found the ultimate cause of the problem. the ultimate cause of the problem.

ProblemsProblems

SimpleSimple CompoundCompound ComplexComplex Wicked - Wicked - incomplete, contradictory, and incomplete, contradictory, and

changing requirements; and solutions to them are changing requirements; and solutions to them are often difficult to recognize as such because of often difficult to recognize as such because of complex interdependencies.complex interdependencies.

Step 2Step 2

Gather information:Gather information: Investigate Investigate the problem and uncover any other the problem and uncover any other hidden effects that the problem may hidden effects that the problem may have caused. have caused.

Step 3Step 3

Develop courses of action:Develop courses of action: Notice Notice that courses is plural. For every that courses is plural. For every problem there are usually several problem there are usually several possible courses of action. Identify as possible courses of action. Identify as many as you can. There are always many as you can. There are always at least two: fix it or don't fix it. at least two: fix it or don't fix it. Brainstorming with your team will Brainstorming with your team will normally generate the most and best normally generate the most and best courses of actioncourses of action

Step 4Step 4

. . Analyze and compare courses of Analyze and compare courses of action:action: Rank the courses of action Rank the courses of action as to their effectiveness. Some as to their effectiveness. Some actions may fix other problems, while actions may fix other problems, while others may cause new problems. others may cause new problems.

Step 5Step 5

Make a decision:Make a decision: Select the best Select the best course of action to take.course of action to take.

Make a plan:Make a plan: Use the planning tool Use the planning tool covered in the first part of the covered in the first part of the section. section. Implement the plan:Implement the plan: Execute the plan.Execute the plan.

Core ConceptCore Concept

The central thesis of social capital theory The central thesis of social capital theory is that 'relationships matteris that 'relationships matter'.'.

The central idea is that 'social networks The central idea is that 'social networks are a valuable asset'.are a valuable asset'.

Interaction enables people to build Interaction enables people to build communities, to commit themselves to communities, to commit themselves to each other, and to knit the social fabric. each other, and to knit the social fabric.

Core ConceptsCore Concepts

A sense of belonging and the A sense of belonging and the concrete experience of social concrete experience of social networks (and the relationships of networks (and the relationships of trust and tolerance that can be trust and tolerance that can be involved) can, it is argued, bring involved) can, it is argued, bring great benefits to people.great benefits to people.

Community CapacityCommunity Capacity

Depends onDepends on– Characteristics of the communityCharacteristics of the community– Characteristics of the community Characteristics of the community

building processbuilding process– Characteristics of the community Characteristics of the community

building process organizersbuilding process organizers

Why Does it Matter?Why Does it Matter?

Social capital allows citizens to resolve Social capital allows citizens to resolve collective problems more easily… collective problems more easily… People often might be better off if they People often might be better off if they cooperate, with each doing there share.cooperate, with each doing there share.

Social capital greases the wheels that Social capital greases the wheels that allow communities to advance allow communities to advance smoothly.smoothly.

Widening our awareness of the many Widening our awareness of the many ways in which our fates are linkedways in which our fates are linked

Class DiscussionClass Discussion

Social capitalSocial capital is a core concept in is a core concept in business, economics, organizational business, economics, organizational behavior, political science, and behavior, political science, and sociology, defined as the advantage sociology, defined as the advantage created by a person's location in a created by a person's location in a structure of relationships.structure of relationships.

However, social capital has also been However, social capital has also been defined as the resources available to one defined as the resources available to one through the networks that they hold.through the networks that they hold.

ClustersClusters

Social capital should be considered in Social capital should be considered in terms of three clusters: structural, terms of three clusters: structural, relational and cognitiverelational and cognitive– Structural a person’s ability to make weak Structural a person’s ability to make weak

and strong ties to others in a communityand strong ties to others in a community– Relational – character of the connection Relational – character of the connection

such as trust, business, politicalsuch as trust, business, political– Cognitive – the communication aspect Cognitive – the communication aspect

means sharing some context between the means sharing some context between the partiesparties

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Social capital is a product of "civic Social capital is a product of "civic engagement“engagement“

But, social capital is not equally But, social capital is not equally available to all personsavailable to all persons

The value of social capital depends The value of social capital depends on the status of the person engaged on the status of the person engaged in the networkin the network

MeasurementMeasurement

There is no widely held consensus on how There is no widely held consensus on how to measure social capitalto measure social capital

This has resulted in different metrics for This has resulted in different metrics for different functions. In measuring political different functions. In measuring political social capital, it is common to take the social capital, it is common to take the sum of society’s membership of its groups.sum of society’s membership of its groups.

Groups with higher membership (such as Groups with higher membership (such as political parties) contribute more to the political parties) contribute more to the amount of capital than groups with lower amount of capital than groups with lower membershipmembership

Capital & CommunityCapital & Community

Social capital depends on an already Social capital depends on an already functioning communityfunctioning community

There are arguments of many theorists There are arguments of many theorists who believe that social capital leads to who believe that social capital leads to exclusion rather than to a stronger civil exclusion rather than to a stronger civil society in dying communitiessociety in dying communities

The concept of social capital in a The concept of social capital in a Chinese social context has been closely Chinese social context has been closely linked with the concept of guanxi?linked with the concept of guanxi?

How People ParticipateHow People Participate

ManipulationManipulation TherapyTherapy InformingInforming PlacationPlacation PartnershipPartnership Delegated powerDelegated power Citizen control - Citizen control - Community Based Community Based

OrganizationOrganization

Social CapitalSocial Capital What is it?What is it?

– Social capital has many different characteristicsSocial capital has many different characteristics InteractiveInteractive Based around groups of peopleBased around groups of people Requires united front and mutual understandingRequires united front and mutual understanding

– ““Features of social organization, such as networks, norms, and Features of social organization, such as networks, norms, and trust, that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual trust, that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit. Social capital enhances the benefits of investment in benefit. Social capital enhances the benefits of investment in physical and human capital.” (p. 32)physical and human capital.” (p. 32)

How to get it?How to get it?– Works by enhancing community relationships Works by enhancing community relationships – People must be able to work together to achieve a common People must be able to work together to achieve a common

goalgoal– Takes practicality, acceptance, adaptability, and responsibilityTakes practicality, acceptance, adaptability, and responsibility– Improve communication within and outside the communityImprove communication within and outside the community

Bonding and BridgingBonding and Bridging Bonding Bonding Social Capital-Social Capital-“connections between “connections between

individuals and groups with individuals and groups with similarsimilar backgrounds.” (p. 61)backgrounds.” (p. 61)– Based on factors such as class, ethnicity, gender, Based on factors such as class, ethnicity, gender,

family relationships, or other social connections. family relationships, or other social connections.

Bridging Bridging Social Capital- Social Capital- “connects “connects diversediverse groups within the community to each other groups within the community to each other and to groups outside the community.” (p. and to groups outside the community.” (p. 61)61)– Usually ties are just for one specific purposeUsually ties are just for one specific purpose– Bridging capital brings people together who Bridging capital brings people together who

wouldn’t normally be together and creates a wouldn’t normally be together and creates a diverse viewpoint.diverse viewpoint.

Bridging and BondingBridging and Bonding

Inclusion (horizontal ties within the

community;diverse horizontal

and vertical ties to outside.)

Clientelism(internal and

external ties are mainly

vertical)

Apathy:Extreme

Individualism

Conflict withoutside or internal

factionalism

Bridging Social Capital

Bon

din

g S

ocia

l C

ap

ital

Social Typology:

What is going on?

Bridging and BondingBridging and Bonding

Locally initiated change driven by

communitydefined goals, with

links to externalresources

Community changedominated by local or extra-local bosses

or power elite

Wealthy solve problems with

financial capital; the poor have few

options.

Community resists externally initiatedchange or infightingnegates community

change efforts

Bridging Social Capital

Bon

din

g S

ocia

l Cap

ital

Social Typology:

What is going to happen?

Entrepreneurial Social Entrepreneurial Social InfrastructureInfrastructure

E.S.I = Really GoodE.S.I = Really Good Definition of E.S.I- “measurable form of Definition of E.S.I- “measurable form of

community action”community action” This term basically refers to a town that has both This term basically refers to a town that has both

high bridging and bonding high bridging and bonding How is it different from Social Capital?How is it different from Social Capital?

– Can be changed through a collective effort put forth by Can be changed through a collective effort put forth by the community…which is why it’s called the community…which is why it’s called entrepreneurial.entrepreneurial.

– It is easier to change the community involvement than It is easier to change the community involvement than the community trust.the community trust.

– Focuses on the outcome of diversity, not the presence of Focuses on the outcome of diversity, not the presence of it. For example, diversity brings out the willingness to it. For example, diversity brings out the willingness to consider more alternatives, and this is key to ESI.consider more alternatives, and this is key to ESI.

AlternativesAlternatives One problem that many communities have is not One problem that many communities have is not

being willing to “agree to disagree”being willing to “agree to disagree” The most successful communities are made up of The most successful communities are made up of

people that can discuss their various points of people that can discuss their various points of view. They might sometimes disagree, but view. They might sometimes disagree, but maintain respect for the opinions of others. maintain respect for the opinions of others. – Fairness, organization, and civility all key factorsFairness, organization, and civility all key factors

Communities not willing to accept controversy Communities not willing to accept controversy struggle because nothing ever gets done and struggle because nothing ever gets done and there is always tension.there is always tension.

Community media (like local newspapers) can be Community media (like local newspapers) can be a good tool to help the situation, but can also a good tool to help the situation, but can also make situation worse.make situation worse.

Inclusive and Diverse Inclusive and Diverse NetworksNetworks

Good qualities of Social Networks:Good qualities of Social Networks:– De-personalization of politicsDe-personalization of politics

Politics must involve the issues and not personalitiesPolitics must involve the issues and not personalities

– Development of extra-community linkagesDevelopment of extra-community linkages Participation is everything! Successful communities take examples Participation is everything! Successful communities take examples

from other communities, seek out resources from the local and from other communities, seek out resources from the local and state levels, and participate on regional planning commissions . state levels, and participate on regional planning commissions . They also take advantage of grants.They also take advantage of grants.

Example: Decatur County, KansasExample: Decatur County, Kansas

– Diverse community leadershipDiverse community leadership Everything can’t fall on one person…if this is the case, then Everything can’t fall on one person…if this is the case, then

everyone isn’t involvedeveryone isn’t involved Newcomers can benefit the community Newcomers can benefit the community

– Approaches to involving excluded groupsApproaches to involving excluded groups Personal invitationsPersonal invitations Liaisons to excluded groups can help them get organized and Liaisons to excluded groups can help them get organized and

motivatedmotivated

Resource MobilizationResource Mobilization Resources must be Resources must be

accessible! This applies to accessible! This applies to public and private public and private resourcesresources

Successful communities Successful communities have citizens that all have citizens that all contribute financial contribute financial resources when there is a resources when there is a need…this can be in need…this can be in proportion to their income proportion to their income level.level.

Capital InteractionsCapital Interactions Sustainability can be achieved by relying on more than Sustainability can be achieved by relying on more than

one form of capital. one form of capital. When there are multiple forms of capital, they can work When there are multiple forms of capital, they can work

together to produce better results.together to produce better results.– Ex: Increasing social capital reduces transaction costs…and Ex: Increasing social capital reduces transaction costs…and

the result of this is that other resources are made to be the result of this is that other resources are made to be more efficient.more efficient.

– Ex: High School comparison…school vouchers?Ex: High School comparison…school vouchers? Environment is an important form of capital.Environment is an important form of capital.

Civic Involvement in Civic Involvement in AmericaAmerica

Civic Involvement in America is drastically less Civic Involvement in America is drastically less than it was 30 to 50 years ago…as much as 25%-than it was 30 to 50 years ago…as much as 25%-50% less50% less

Examples of clubs that have seen a decline in Examples of clubs that have seen a decline in membership are the Elks club, PTAs, Red Cross, membership are the Elks club, PTAs, Red Cross, and recreational sport leagues.and recreational sport leagues.

There isn’t a specific reason for this decline…There isn’t a specific reason for this decline…– Peaked in the progressive areaPeaked in the progressive area– Depression and WWII caused people to band togetherDepression and WWII caused people to band together– Increase in TV watching and work hoursIncrease in TV watching and work hours

A Community OutlookA Community Outlook ““It is the actions of people that transmit culture and legacy. It is the actions of people that transmit culture and legacy.

It is people who must determine a community’s It is people who must determine a community’s development options, make decisions, and take action.” (p. development options, make decisions, and take action.” (p. 51)51)

City of “Solidale”…an excellent example of abundant social City of “Solidale”…an excellent example of abundant social capitalcapital– Library, industrial park, community center, factoryLibrary, industrial park, community center, factory– People who are willing to give to their communityPeople who are willing to give to their community

““You can’t take it with you”You can’t take it with you”

– People who are willing to work for their communityPeople who are willing to work for their community People get involved in community organizationsPeople get involved in community organizations Citizens actively involved in drawing businesses to town and Citizens actively involved in drawing businesses to town and

making the town a better place to livemaking the town a better place to live

Summing it up…Summing it up… Building social capital is vitally important to the well-being Building social capital is vitally important to the well-being

of a community!of a community! Two types of social capital: Two types of social capital: Bridging Bridging and and BondingBonding

– BridgingBridging = ties diverse groups together within or outside a = ties diverse groups together within or outside a communitycommunity

– BondingBonding = making multiple connections with individuals and = making multiple connections with individuals and groups from similar backgroundsgroups from similar backgrounds

– ESI enhanced when both are highESI enhanced when both are high Some important issues:Some important issues:

– Diverse viewpoints…and agreeing to disagreeDiverse viewpoints…and agreeing to disagree– Good social networksGood social networks– Resource mobilizationResource mobilization– Capital InteractionsCapital Interactions

Sources:Sources: Rural Communities: Legacy and ChangeRural Communities: Legacy and Change. Flora, Cornelia . Flora, Cornelia

Butler and Flora, Jan L. 2Butler and Flora, Jan L. 2ndnd Edition. Westview Press; 2004. Edition. Westview Press; 2004.