Understanding social capital : are the problems inherent in Putnam's concept intractable?
Understanding social capital : are the problems inherent in Putnam's concept intractable?
Putnam’s version of social capital, and the main problems with it, are outlined in Chapter One of this thesis. In Chapters Two and Three alternative conceptual approaches are examined to see whether they might resolve any of the difficulties in Putnam’s work.
The six problems arising from Putnam’s work identified in Chapter One are: 1) the lack of a developed conceptual framework; 2) whether macro-level analysis is appropriate; 3) how the concept fits with considerations of structure and agency; 4) whether the negative aspects of social capital are fully taken into account; 5) what the relative merits of “bonding” and “bridging” social capital are; and; 6) whether social capital is only ever a by-product of other activities or can also be consciously created.
In Chapter Two, Coleman and Ostrom’s separate work in social capital is analysed. They use the concept as part of an attempt to add broader social considerations to theories of rational and collective action. In Chapter Three, the main authors examined are Bourdieu and Lin. Bourdieu uses social capital to complement his concept of cultural capital in looking at the reproduction of inequality. Lin develops a theory of social capital that focuses on individuals’ action in pursuing resources in networks.
It emerges that the other authors can contribute various elements that help to address some of the problems in Putnam’s work. Yet the most appropriate level of analysis and the full implications of bridging social capital remain points of contention. In Chapter four the future of Putnam’s use of social capital is debated and it is concluded that he will have to abandon his macro-level analysis if the full conceptual intricacies of social capital are to be realised.
University of Southampton
Curtis, Andrew
ee0a8ca7-461f-4048-ace0-229e678c0e3c
2007
Curtis, Andrew
ee0a8ca7-461f-4048-ace0-229e678c0e3c
Curtis, Andrew
(2007)
Understanding social capital : are the problems inherent in Putnam's concept intractable?
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
Putnam’s version of social capital, and the main problems with it, are outlined in Chapter One of this thesis. In Chapters Two and Three alternative conceptual approaches are examined to see whether they might resolve any of the difficulties in Putnam’s work.
The six problems arising from Putnam’s work identified in Chapter One are: 1) the lack of a developed conceptual framework; 2) whether macro-level analysis is appropriate; 3) how the concept fits with considerations of structure and agency; 4) whether the negative aspects of social capital are fully taken into account; 5) what the relative merits of “bonding” and “bridging” social capital are; and; 6) whether social capital is only ever a by-product of other activities or can also be consciously created.
In Chapter Two, Coleman and Ostrom’s separate work in social capital is analysed. They use the concept as part of an attempt to add broader social considerations to theories of rational and collective action. In Chapter Three, the main authors examined are Bourdieu and Lin. Bourdieu uses social capital to complement his concept of cultural capital in looking at the reproduction of inequality. Lin develops a theory of social capital that focuses on individuals’ action in pursuing resources in networks.
It emerges that the other authors can contribute various elements that help to address some of the problems in Putnam’s work. Yet the most appropriate level of analysis and the full implications of bridging social capital remain points of contention. In Chapter four the future of Putnam’s use of social capital is debated and it is concluded that he will have to abandon his macro-level analysis if the full conceptual intricacies of social capital are to be realised.
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Published date: 2007
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Local EPrints ID: 466319
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/466319
PURE UUID: 57496226-6878-4d71-86f3-d35941644365
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Date deposited: 05 Jul 2022 05:10
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 20:38
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Author:
Andrew Curtis
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