A new book examined the causes of paranoia, identifying the social and cultural factors that seemed to be affecting the way people thought about issues such as abduction of children, terrorism, and juvenile delinquency. It explained why paranoia might be on the rise, and what we could did to tackle it.
Source: Daniel Freeman and Jason Freeman, Paranoia: The 21st-century fear, Oxford University Press (01536 741727)
Links: Summary | Wellcome Trust press release
Date: 2008-Oct
A paper said that there was societal and personal mistrust between individuals and their wider community, which affected how and why we started to exclude those who looked and sounded different. In particular there was growing mistrust between adults and young people, caused by not giving young people 'clear boundaries'. Teaching young people manners and an appreciation of other people's feelings would improve social well-being.
Source: Shaun Bailey, What and Who Is It We Don't Trust?, Joseph Rowntree Foundation (01904 629241)
Links: Paper | JRF press release
Date: 2008-Oct
A paper said that the cause of growing fear and distrust in society was visible physical inequality and segregation in the environment, combined with a commercially driven media with a vested interest in promoting fear.
Source: Anna Minton, Why Are Fear and Distrust Spiralling in Twenty-first Century Britain?, Joseph Rowntree Foundation (01904 629241)
Links: Paper | JRF press release | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Oct
A discussion paper said that modern social 'ills' were products of the withdrawal of the traditional conception of society, and were rooted in the way of life of an individualized society of consumers – they arose mostly from the absence of society, rather than from its pressures.
Source: Zygmunt Bauman, The Absence of Society, Joseph Rowntree Foundation (01904 629241)
Date: 2008-Oct
An article examined measures of neighbourhood social capital and common mental disorders (CMD). The findings provided some support for the hypothesis that social capital might protect against CMD, but indicated that initiatives should be targeted at deprived groups, focus on specific elements of social capital, and not neglect the important relationship between personal socio-economic disadvantage and CMD.
Source: Mai Stafford, Mary De Silva, Stephen Stansfeld and Michael Marmot, 'Neighbourhood social capital and common mental disorder: testing the link in a general population sample', Health and Place, Volume 14 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2008-Sep
A paper provided an overview of academic debates about social capital, considering critiques both of the concept and of its use in policy. It examined the relationship between social capital and, inter alia, 'associationalism', social exclusion and inequality, democracy, and gender. It also illustrated how social capital was a key component within the policies of the New Labour government.
Source: Aoife Gilligan Quinn, Social Capital: An assessment of its relevance as a conceptual and policy tool, Voluntary Sector Working Paper 9, Centre for Civil Society/London School of Economics (020 7955 7205)
Links: Paper
Date: 2008-Sep
An article linked measures of formal and informal forms of social capital to social mobility trajectories, and assessed their impact on social trust. Access to social ties was strongly conditioned by mobility. Among the social groups disadvantaged in terms of bridging social ties were not only those in lower social classes but also women and members of minority ethnic groups.
Source: Yaojun Li, Mike Savage and Alan Warde, 'Social mobility and social capital in contemporary Britain', British Journal of Sociology, Volume 59 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2008-Sep
A paper examined the relationship between institutional structure and pro-social behaviour, in particular donated labour, in the delivery of public services such as health, social care, and education. Individuals in the non-profit sector were found to be significantly more likely to donate their labour, measured by unpaid overtime, than those in the for-profit sector.
Source: Paul Gregg, Paul Grout, Anita Ratcliffe, Sarah Smith and Frank Windmeijer, How Important is Pro-social Behaviour in the Delivery of Public Services?, Working Paper 08/197, Centre for Market and Public Organisation/University of Bristol (0117 954 6943)
Links: Working paper | Bristol University press release | Guardian report
Date: 2008-May
A think-tank report provided a regional analysis of social capital, drawing on the General Household Survey 2004-05, the only survey to carry a module specifically designed to measure social capital. People in the north-east of England saw their families and spoke to their neighbours more than people in the south.
Source: Katie Schmuecker, Social Capital in the North East: How do we measure up?, Institute for Public Policy Research (020 7470 6100)
Links: Report | IPPR press release
Date: 2008-Apr
A new book examined the concept of social capital and the way in which it had been applied in empirical research.
Source: Dario Castiglione, Jan van Deth, and Guglielmo Wolleb (eds.), The Handbook of Social Capital, Oxford University Press (01536 741727)
Links: Summary
Date: 2008-Apr
The Treasury (along with the Finance Ministries of Sweden and Germany) published a report which examined the common challenges that educational systems and labour markets faced across the European Union. It outlined shared features of possible policy responses to reduce barriers to labour market participation, and improve employability and social inclusion. It highlighted the importance of human capital for growth and social inclusion.
Source: Social Bridges II: The importance of human capital for growth and social inclusion, HM Treasury (020 7270 4558)
Links: Report | HMT press release
Date: 2008-Mar
A report examined levels of social capital in Northern Ireland. Higher levels of social capital (in the sense of either 'bridging' or 'linking' social capital) were exhibited by employers and managers, people in professional occupations, people with higher educational qualifications, men, older people, people in couple relationships, and people in work.
Source: Wendy Patterson, Social Capital in Northern Ireland: An analysis of the 2005/06 Continuous Household Survey, Northern Ireland Executive (028 9052 0500)
Links: Report
Date: 2008-Feb