Beyond Community and Society: The Externalities of Social Capital Building

In: Policy sciences: integrating knowledge and practice to advance human dignity ; the journal of the Society of Policy Scientists, Band 33, Heft 3-4, S. 477-494

Abstract

In a summary of this issue of Policy Sciences, this article explores the concept of social capital & explains how it relates to the larger society. Different social capital serves different purposes for policy makers. Nevertheless, a steep learning curve exists in order to use it. The case is made that public policies that rely too heavily on associated strengths may constitute a form of negative social capital. Also, intergroup alliances can actually create dependencies that dissipate social capital. Japan has failed to use its social capital effectively resulting in economic recession & mounting business & labor unrest. Examples of how leaders can use social capital to implement policies that require public cooperation, & thus, achieve positive outcomes, are given. 36 References. R. Larsen