An article said that, although widely used, the concept of social capital was poorly defined and much discussion of it was based upon assertion rather than upon evidence. Survey evidence was not consistent with key assertions made in the existing literature in relation to age, poverty, and class.
Source: Alan Middleton, Alan Murie and Rick Groves, 'Social capital and neighbourhoods that work', Urban Studies, Volume 42 Number 10
Links: Abstract
Date: 2005-Sep
A paper presented the context for the development of statistics on social capital in the United Kingdom, the approach taken to measuring social capital, and the UK position on international work in the area.
Source: Penny Babb, Measurement of Social Capital in the UK, Office for National Statistics (0845 601 3034)
Links: Paper (pdf)
Date: 2005-Aug
A report said that young people were more likely to participate in informal social activities, and to have larger social support networks, than people aged 25 and over. However they were less likely to participate in social, civic, and voluntary activities, and were less interested in political issues than people aged 25 and over.
Source: Penny Babb and Figen Deviren, Young People and Social Capital, Office for National Statistics (0845 601 3034)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2005-Aug
An article said that although it was hard to ascertain whether social policy could directly develop social capital, it was possible for policy to create environments which either allowed for the enhancement of social capital, or harmed it.
Source: Thilo Boeck and Jennie Fleming, 'Social policy ? a help or a hindrance to social capital?', Social Policy and Society, Volume 4 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2005-Jul
A new book investigated the relationship between social capital, knowledge creation, and lifelong learning; and related the findings to wider policy debates.
Source: John Field, Social Capital and Lifelong Learning, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2005-Jun
An article examined recent quantitative and qualitative evidence on trust in state and non-state pensions. Social divisions remained important in determining how active trust operated in practice. More vulnerable groups put their trust in the state, through lack of an alternative; whereas more confident and better-off groups tended to pursue investment strategies which they believed would give them more individual control over their money.
Source: Peter Taylor-Gooby, 'Uncertainty, trust and pensions: the case of the current UK reforms', Social Policy and Administration, Volume 39 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2005-Jun
A book chapter traced the adoption and development of 'social investment' perspectives and practices in social policy debates.
Source: Alexandra Dobrowolsky and Jane Jenson, 'Social investment perspectives and practices: a decade in British politics', Social Policy Review 17: Analysis and debate in social policy, 2005, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Table of contents
Date: 2005-Jun
A discussion examined the role of equality - both economic equality and equality of opportunity - in generating trust within society.
Source: Bo Rothstein and Eric Uslaner, All for All: Equality and social trust, Discussion Paper 15, LSE Health and Social Care/London School of Economics (020 7955 6840)
Links: Discussion paper (pdf)
Date: 2005-May
A research project found that parents showed little of the uncertainty concerning whom to turn to that was supposed to beset parents in contemporary society: nor did the research bear out fears of a 'support deficit'.
Source: Rosalind Edwards and Val Gillies, Resources in Parenting: Access to Capitals Project Report, Families & Social Capital ESRC Research Group/South Bank University (020 7815 5750)
Links: Working paper (pdf)
Date: 2005-May
A collection of papers explored various aspects of the relationship between women and social capital.
Source: Jane Franklin (ed.), Women and Social Capital, Families & Social Capital ESRC Research Group/South Bank University (020 7815 5750)
Links: Working paper (pdf)
Date: 2005-May
A think-tank report said that the principles of 'open source' - collaborative forms of creating knowledge pioneered in software development - looked set to have a transforming impact on many areas of business, government and daily life.
Source: Geoff Mulgan and Tom Steinberg with Omar Salem, Wide Open: Open source methods and their future potential, Demos, available from Central Books (020 8986 5488)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary | Demos press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Apr
An article said that social capital was increasingly recognized as having an important role in participation and progress within the labour market.
Source: Keith Brook, 'Labour market participation: the influence of social capital', Labour Market Trends, March 2005, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Article (pdf) | ONS press release (pdf)
Date: 2005-Mar
A paper examined the determinants of recreational practices among members of three diverse voluntary associations - focusing on being hosts and guests in private homes, and eating and drinking outside the home. It showed how respondents sociability was affected not only by their socio-demographic characteristics, but also by the nature of their social networks.
Source: Alan Warde, Gindo Tambupolon and Mike Savage, Recreation, Informal Social Networks and Social Capital, Working Paper 17, Centre for Census and Survey Research/University of Manchester (0161 2754891)
Links: Working paper (pdf)
Date: 2005-Mar
A literature review looked at links between local government, social capital, and effective citizenship; and proposed the key issues to address in supporting community engagement.
Source: Rhys Andrews and Richard Cowell, Civic Education and Local Government: A literature review, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (0870 1226 236)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2005-Feb