A think-tank report said that government attempts to undertake 'cultural planning' to create social capital were subject to exactly the same problems that led economic and industrial planning to fail. In order for democratic systems to work, they should be limited to co-ordinating certain core political functions. Markets would generate attributes such as trust and non-discrimination, which were necessary to oil the wheels of both commercial and political society.
Source: John Meadowcroft and Mark Pennington, Rescuing Social Capital from Social Democracy, Institute of Economic Affairs (020 7799 8900)
Date: 2007-Nov
Researchers examined the impact of young people's social capital in secondary schools – including their attitudes to diversity; their sense of school belonging; and their access to support networks. Young people with one form of social capital also tended to have another. Social capital and socio-psychological resources were unevenly distributed. Neighbourhood context and family support were important influences.
Source: Peter Stevens, Ruth Lupton, Tamjid Mujtaba and Leon Feinstein, The Development and Impact of Young People's Social Capital in Secondary Schools, Research Report 24, Centre for Research on the Wider Benefits of Learning/University of London (020 7612 6291)
Links: Report | Brief | CRWBL press release
Date: 2007-Nov
An article examined four texts that addressed 'connectedness' in social relationships. It considered concepts of care and social capital, and how these were applied in policy and practice. It highlighted the importance of understandings deriving from these concepts in developing policies that supported well-being, reflected the significance of moral decision-making, and enabled the development of supportive networks.
Source: Marian Barnes and David Prior, 'Conceptualising connectedness: implications for policy and practice', Social Policy and Society, Volume 6 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Apr
An article proposed a critical framework for assessing the links between immigration, social cohesion, and social capital.
Source: Pauline Hope Cheong, Rosalind Edwards, Harry Goulbourne and John Solomos, 'Immigration, social cohesion and social capital: a critical review', Critical Social Policy, Volume 27 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jan