A report presented experimental estimates of the United Kingdom's human capital stock in the years 2001-2010. The human capital stock was worth £17.12 trillion in 2010 – more than two-and-a-half times the estimated value of tangible assets (buildings, vehicles, plant and machinery). But it was £130 billion lower than the estimate for 2009.
Source: Richard Jones and Valerie Fender, Human Capital Estimates: 2010, Office for National Statistics
Links: Report | ONS press release | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Dec
A paper said that social capital and national income were positively correlated across European countries, but negatively correlated over time. This paradoxical evidence was compatible with an explanation in terms of increasing economic inequality: in countries experiencing strong increases in inequality, trends of social capital were negatively correlated with economic growth. For countries where economic growth was accompanied by negative or modest increases in inequality, this relationship disappeared.
Source: Francesco Sarracino, Economic Growth and Social Capital: Happily together ever after?, Centre for Population, Poverty and Public Policy Studies (CEPS/INSTEAD)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Nov
An article examined the relationship between ethnic diversity and informal social capital in Europe. There was a direct positive effect of ethnic diversity at the country level on informal helping. At the regional level, ethnic diversity increased the likelihood of inter-group contact that in turn was positively related to both informal social meeting and helping. Perceived ethnic threat had a negative effect on informal social meeting.
Source: Michael Savelkoul, Maurice Gesthuizen, and Peer Scheepers, 'Explaining relationships between ethnic diversity and informal social capital across European countries and regions: tests of constrict, conflict and contact theory', Social Science Research, Volume 40 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Sep
A paper described work done by the Office for National Statistics on developing statistics on social capital.
Source: Frederick Foxton and Richard Jones, Social Capital Indicators Review, Office for National Statistics
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Sep
An article examined the extent and quality of contact experienced by Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland in their everyday lives. Withdrawal from social activity in the neighbourhoods observed was a calculated response at times of threat, often aimed at protecting existent positive inter-ethnic relations.
Source: Joanne Hughes, Andrea Campbell, and Richard Jenkins, 'Contact, trust and social capital in Northern Ireland: a qualitative study of three mixed communities', Ethnic and Racial Studies, Volume 34 Number 6
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jun
A think-tank report summarized emerging research about the formation and development of character across the life course. Capabilities such as empathy, resilience, and application were strongly related to a range of beneficial outcomes. The report set out a vision for how developing individual and collective character could lead to social goods such as a sustainable economy, active citizenship, greater well-being, and stronger communities.
Source: Jen Lexmond and Matt Grist (eds.), The Character Inquiry, Demos
Date: 2011-May
An article examined social capital levels in a community consultation body in Northern Ireland. Membership of the forum increased the bonding, bridging, and linking social capital of its members and appeared to improve community relations. But the empirical link between social capital and the quality of community relations remained unproven.
Source: Jenny Muir, 'Bridging and linking in a divided society: a social capital case study from Northern Ireland', Urban Studies, Volume 48 Number 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Apr
An article developed an optimal measure for social participation based on European Social Survey data. A distinction had to be made between informal and formal participation, because they related very differently to other variables. These two types of participation also had hardly any relationship with other important components of social capital, such as social trust and political trust.
Source: Laura Guillen, Lluis Coromina, and Willem Saris, 'Measurement of social participation and its place in social capital theory', Social Indicators Research, Volume 100 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jan
An article examined trends across countries and regions in key indicators of social cohesion – including social and political trust, tolerance, and perceptions of conflict. There was 'ample evidence' of long-term declines in cohesion in many countries, not least as exemplified by the erosion of social and political trust, which was particularly dramatic in the United Kingdom – whereas on most indicators the Nordic countries had became more cohesive.
Source: Andy Green, Germ Janmaat, and Helen Cheng, 'Social cohesion: converging and diverging trends', National Institute Economic Review, Volume 215 Number 1
Links: Abstract | IOE press release
Date: 2011-Jan
A paper provided a synthetic macro index of social cohesion based on the observation of several individual level variables. This was then used to rank social cohesion across 39 European countries and to explore differences across groups of countries.
Source: Sylvain Acket, Monique Borsenberger, Paul Dickes, and Francesco Sarracino, Measuring and Validating Social Cohesion: A bottom-up approach, Working Paper 2011/08, Centre for Population, Poverty and Public Policy Studies (CEPS/INSTEAD)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Jan
A paper presented a theoretically based, multidimensional, and comparable measurement of social cohesion in 47 European countries, using the most recent micro-level data of the European Value Study from 2008.
Source: Paul Dickes, Marie Valentova, and Monique Borsenberger, A Multidimensional Assessment of Social Cohesion in 47 European Countries, Working Paper 2011/07, Centre for Population, Poverty and Public Policy Studies (CEPS/INSTEAD)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Jan