Social Capital: A Multi-Perspective View

Author: Dasgupta
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: "The concept of social capital has recently attracted widespread attention from sociologists, economists, and political scientists. Some of the articles in this book are based on discussions about social capital during seminars held by the World Bank (which brought together economists and sociologists). The book offers insightful and profound on the formation and functioning of social capital in developing countries and transition economies, hoping that Chinese scholars can utilize its essence to serve China's social and economic development. The book collects the newest research findings on social capital from renowned sociologists and economists, including breakthroughs in the theory and methodology of social capital, as well as experiences of success or failure in applying social capital in the development processes of different countries/regions. It reflects both the interconnectedness and continuity of social science research and the valuable critical spirit in theoretical research. The book is divided into five parts: The introduction introduces the concept of social capital and its recent theoretical innovations; The analytical foundation traces the origins of social capital theory from multiple perspectives; The institutional analysis discusses how to create and utilize social capital from an institutional level and its applications under different social systems; The statistical analysis focuses on the relationship between social capital, organizational structure, and economic growth within a country and its applications; The final review section organizes the relationship between economic development and social capital and makes certain predictions for future development. This book is a rare reference for teachers and students of social science disciplines, as well as highly accomplished researchers and personnel in government socio-economic management departments. It provides excellent examples in the elaboration and enrichment of the concept of social capital, the construction and innovation of research methods, and its application in specific policy implementation areas."