Social Capital

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Social capital - a concept which the precondition is the importance of social networks, mutually connecting different people.The concept refers to the collective value of all known societies (organizations) and norms of reciprocity, in other words, what is their result - what kinds of things people can do to each other.Social cohesion is crucial for the company, its development and economic prosperity.

Social capital - it is not just the number of institutions which underpin a society, it is the binding element that keeps them together.

commonality of most definitions of the concept, which can be found in the special (economic, political science, sociology) literature is that all focus on the specific circumstances of the social relations that are productive benefits.

However, it does not have a clear, indisputable sense of independence and ideological reasons, so their own definitions that are accepted by researchers, depend on the discipline of its intellectual origin, the level of research.Thus, some authors consider the term as applied to the economic situation, not fully taking into account its multi-dimensional, multi-disciplinary in nature.

According to the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, the social world is the accumulation of history.If it is not reduced to a series of intermittent instantaneous, mechanical equilibrium between the agents, which are regarded as related particles, it is necessary to re-enter it in the concept of capital (and with it the accumulation and its consequences).

Based on the role of economic capital for social position, Bourdieu first introduced the interesting structures and vocabulary: cultural, social and symbolic capital, the concept of "habitus" (a system of strong acquired predispositions), the "field" and "social space", "symbolicpower "to reveal the dynamics of the balance of power in public life.

Social capital, Bourdieu, by definition, is a collection of actual resources that are associated with the possession of a strong network of institutionalized relationships of mutual acquaintance (or group membership).This gives each participant, with the support of the team, "the right of trust" and the loan in various senses of the word.

term "social capital" emphasizes not only a warm and pleasant relationship, but also a huge variety of specific benefits that arise from the trust, reciprocity, informative cooperation related to "social networks."

concept runs through many ways.This flow of information: acquisition of information about jobs, candidates applying for positions, the exchange of ideas in the educational institutions and so on.

From interrelated chains depend on collective action.One can cite the example of an African-American church, which actively supported the principles of civil society . collective action can also contribute to the establishment of new groups of related people.Solidarity that helps modify the "I-mentality" in the "we-mentality", actively encouraged.

When a group of neighbors informally looking after each other, showing a willingness to help, or when the Hasidic Jews in their community exchanged diamonds, it does not consider it necessary to check every gem is social capital in action.It can be found in the friendly, religious, school, district, club and so on networks."Where all you know" - one of the most important aspects of the concept.

However, ensuring coordination and cooperation, it can have an important drawback.This relates to isolated groups of people who work for the opposite purposes (to society), hindering economic and social development.These groups are well known - the corrupt officials, drug dealers, racketeers.