Assessing Social Capital
Author | : Rosalind Edwards |
Publisher | : Cambridge Scholars Publishing |
Total Pages | : 270 |
Release | : 2009-01-23 |
ISBN-10 | : 9781443804790 |
ISBN-13 | : 1443804797 |
Rating | : 4/5 (90 Downloads) |
Download or read book Assessing Social Capital written by Rosalind Edwards and published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing. This book was released on 2009-01-23 with total page 270 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Social capital is a key concept in academic research and policymaking internationally. It focuses attention on social relationships, values, and access to resources in families, communities, regions and nations. But does the concept, with its focus on particular aspects of social life and the thrust of its influence on policy initiatives, hide more than it illuminates? Is it even harmful? Can social capital ideas be amended or adapted to bring other issues into view, or are there alternative concepts that are better able to address contemporary social, economic and political life? This edited collection brings together contributions, including from internationally renowned researchers, that assess social capital - as a theoretical concept, its shaping of policy development, and its practices in research and everyday life. Some reveal the conceptual lacks and policy drawbacks of social capital, and put forward alternatives. Others pursue mainstream models and their adaptation.