The concept of social capital has its roots in the work of both Durkheim on social solidarity and Bourdieu on social networks. Over the past decade academics, governments and even global organisations such as the World Bank have expressed interest in its effects. Researchers such as Robert Putnam and Richard Wilkinson have popularised the concept and Wilkinson has stimulated much interest in the links between inequality, social capital and health.
Social capital has different meanings and has been used in different ways. When reading about it, try to see whether the writer is talking about the individual, the community or the whole of society. It is also a good idea to work out how the concept is being used.
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