A paper described the design of a two-stage experiment designed to measure trusting and trustworthiness in a representative sample of the British population.
Source: John Ermisch and Diego Gambetta, People s Trust: The design of a survey-based experiment, Working Paper 2006-34, Institute for Social and Economic Research/University of Essex (01206 873087)
Links: Working paper
Date: 2006-Jul
A study found that community spirit had a bigger influence on crime rates than levels of deprivation.
Source: Elaine Wedlock, Crime and Cohesive Communities, Online Report 19/06, Home Office (web publication only)
Links: Report
Date: 2006-Jun
A report examined the way people interacted with their neighbours (neighbouring), and questioned whether we still needed good neighbouring relationships (neighbourliness) to improve our well-being and our happiness. It explored what was known about neighbouring, and identified issues for further research.
Source: Alessandra Buonfino and Paul Hilder, Neighbouring in Contemporary Britain, Joseph Rowntree Foundation (01904 629241)
Links: Report
Date: 2006-Jun
A report examined social capital in Northern Ireland. People in lower socio-economic groups displayed more 'bonding' social capital, while professionals displayed more 'bridging and linking' social capital. Older people exhibited stronger bonding, while younger people exhibited stronger bridging, social capital. Males had stronger bonding, bridging, and linking social capital than females.
Source: Social Capital in Northern Ireland: An analysis of the 2003/04 Continuous Household Survey, Northern Ireland Executive (028 9052 0500)
Links: Report
Date: 2006-May
An article examined the work of neighbourhood wardens and their contribution to fostering social order in deprived neighbourhoods. It said that promoting weak social ties, rather than strong bonds of `togetherness', might be preferable in supporting open and tolerant communities.
Source: Adam Crawford, 'Fixing broken promises? Neighbourhood wardens and social capital', Urban Studies, Volume 43 Number 6
Links: Abstract
Date: 2006-May
An article examined the relationship between social capital and civic action among young people. It asked how important social capital was in explaining the level and type of young people?s civic action; whether certain forms of social capital were more important than others in explaining patterns of civic action, and whether the relationship between social capital and civic action was dependent upon individuals? position in the life cycle.
Source: Eldin Fahmy, 'Social capital and civic action: a study of youth in the United Kingdom', Young, Volume 14 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2006-May
A report said that illness had little association with reduced social participation: but caring did seem to affect opportunities for sociability. Members of some ethnic groups were less likely to engage in neighbourly social visiting than others.
Source: Lucinda Platt, Assessing the Impact of Illness, Caring and Ethnicity on Social Activity, CASEpaper 108, Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion/London School of Economics (020 7955 6679)
Date: 2006-Apr
An article examined the contribution that social capital could make to the social economy within local economic development.
Source: Alan Kay, 'Social capital, the social economy and community development', Community Development Journal, Volume 41 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2006-Apr
A think-tank report examined the results of two surveys commissioned in 2002 and 2005 by the London Borough of Camden, aimed at measuring social capital. It explored the significance of the survey findings, and sought to develop policies in response to them.
Source: Halima Khan and Rick Muir (eds.), Sticking Together: Social capital and local government, Institute for Public Policy Research (020 7470 6100)
Links: Summary
Date: 2006-Mar
An article updated an assessment (published by Peter Hall in 1999) of the levels of social capital in Britain. It offered a generally less optimistic appraisal. Distributional issues were critical to the assessment of social capital in Britain, and levels of both participation and trust showed persistent and even growing splits by social class.
Source: Paola Grenier and Karen Wright, 'Social capital in Britain: exploring the Hall paradox', Policy Studies, Volume 27 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2006-Mar
A study explored the interaction between migrants social relationships in their community (their social capital) and the development of a stable and integrated society (social cohesion) at the local level. It questioned the extent to which social capital could reconcile contradictions between social cohesion and the social differences between diverse migrant communities.
Source: Roger Zetter, David Griffiths and Nando Sigona, Immigration, Social Cohesion and Social Capital: What are the links?, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 430033)
Links: Report
Date: 2006-Feb
An article said that older women could operate autonomously in health matters, and could substantially influence the development of healthy communities: but this could sometimes be at a personal cost.
Source: Margaret Boneham and Judith Sixsmith, 'The voices of older women in a disadvantaged community: issues of health and social capital', Social Science & Medicine Volume 62 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2006-Jan
An article said that the influence of the concept of social capital on policy development in the public health field had the potential to complement, rather than provide an alternative to, social democratic approaches. It appeared to reinforce the gradual shift in primary care towards a more public health orientation, a shift generally regarded as vital for the secure establishment of health inequalities on the health agenda.
Source: Paul Bridgen, 'Social capital, community empowerment and public health: policy developments in the UK since 1997', Policy & Politics, Volume 34 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2006-Jan
A discussion paper (drawing on cross-country studies) said that there was a negative correlation between inequality and interpersonal trust.
Source: Andrew Leigh, Does Equality Lead to Fraternity?, Discussion Paper 513, Centre for Economic Policy Research/Australian National University (mailto:andrew.leigh@anu.edu.au)
Links: Paper
Date: 2006-Jan