Replace the Elite

2021 ◽  
Vol 35.5 ◽  
pp. 111-115
Author(s):  
Patrick J. Deneen
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
Ruling Class ◽  
The West ◽  
New Class ◽  
The Social ◽  
New Type ◽  
General Material ◽  
Elite Formation

The article presents the authors reflections on Michael Lind’s book “The New Class War: Saving Democracy from the Managerial Elite” that tries to explain the on-going process of the rise of populism and the decline of liberalism in the West. Reflecting upon the theme and theses of the book, the author of the article analyzes the phenomenon of the managerial elite formation as a new type of the ruling class that is estranges from the social environment and value settings of the majority of population in the Western countries, and this new class sets the current economic and political agenda. Going further than the author of the book, Patrick Deneen calls for the radical replacement of the current elite libertarian ethos for popular conservatism targeted at general material and social capital, family and local communities support

The role of public libraries in the development of social capital in local communities – a theoretical study

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 184-196
Author(s):  
Maja Dorota Wojciechowska
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

PurposeSocial capital, understood as intangible community values available through a network of connections, is a factor in the development of societies and improving quality of life. It helps to remove economic inequalities and prevent poverty and social exclusion, stimulate social and regional development, civic attitudes and social engagement and build a civic society as well as local and regional identity. Many of these tasks may be implemented by libraries, which, apart from providing access to information, may also offer a number of services associated with social needs. The purpose of this paper is to present the roles and functions that libraries may serve in local communities in terms of assistance, integration and development based on classical social capital theories.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the classical concepts of social capital in the context of libraries. It analyses the findings of Pierre-Félix Bourdieu, James Coleman, Francis Fukuyama, Robert Putnam, Nan Lin, Ronald Stuart Burt, Wayne Baker and Alejandro Portes. Based on their respective concepts, the paper analyses the role of the contemporary library in the social life of local communities. In particular, it focuses on the possible new functions that public libraries may serve.FindingsA critical review of the concept of social capital revealed certain dependencies between libraries and their neighbourhoods. With new services that respond to the actual social needs, libraries may serve as a keystone, namely they may integrate, animate and engage local communities. This, however, requires a certain approach to be adopted by the personnel and governing authorities as well as infrastructure and tangible resources.Originality/valueThe social engagement of libraries is usually described from the practical perspective (reports on the services provided) or in the context of research on the impact of respective projects on specific groups of users (research reports). A broader approach, based on original social theories, is rarely encountered. The paper draws on classical concepts of social capital and is a contribution to the discussion on possible uses of those concepts based on an analysis of the role of libraries in social life and in strengthening the social capital of local communities.

The Diaspora of the Novel

1992 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-146
Author(s):  
Artemis Leontis
Keyword(s):  
Uneven Development ◽  
Literary Genre ◽  
The Novel ◽  
History Of The Novel ◽  
The West ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Social ◽  
Economic Transformations ◽  
History Of ◽  
New Type

Reflection on the history of the novel usually begins with consideration of the social, political, and economic transformations within society that favored the “rise” of a new type of narrative. This remains true even with the numerous and important studies appearing during the past ten years, which relate the novel to an everbroadening spectrum of ideological issues—gender, class, race, and, most recently, nationalism. Yet a history of the genre might reflect not just on the novel’s national, but also its transnational, trajectory, its spread across the globe, away from its original points of emergence. Such a history would take into account the expansion of western markets—the growing exportation of goods and ideas, as well as of social, political, and cultural forms from the West—that promoted the novel’s importation by nonwestern societies. Furthermore, it could lead one to examine the very interesting inverse relationship between two kinds of migration, both of which are tied to the First World’s uneven “development” of the Third. In a world system that draws out natural resources in exchange for technologically mediated goods, the emigration of laborers and intellectuals from peripheral societies to the centers of power of the West and the immigration of a western literary genre into these same societies must be viewed as related phenomena.

scholarly journals Wpływ kapitału społecznego mieszkańców na kształtowanie przestrzeni wspólnych w środowisku mieszkaniowym

2020 ◽  
pp. 42-54
Author(s):  
Anna Cudny
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
National Development ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Aesthetic Quality ◽  
The Social ◽  
The City

Influence of social capital of inhabitants on shaping common spaces in a housing environment The last two decades of the century have brought unusually many changes in the built environment. These include not only changes directly related to the emergence of a new urban fabric, but also changes in social attitudes towards common spaces located in residential areas. The built environment has never been evaluated so strongly. This assessment translates not only into the everyday outdoor activities of residents (necessary, optional and social activities), but also to economic projects (purchase, sale and rental of real estate). At the same time, the city ceases to be, as it has been so far, mainly subjected to criticism, and the residents are gradually changing their demanding attitude concerning the development of space to participate in the process of its creation. Society wants to have a real impact on urban space, especially on the space closest to them. Thus, the right to the city is no longer a privilege or a duty, but it becomes a need. Trying to meet this need results in a phenomenon which we can increasingly observe in Poland, and which we have been witnessing abroad for many years: activities in public space are changing into activities for public space. They include the transformation of common spaces related to the place of residence—improving their aesthetic quality, functional changes, modernization of development elements. Observing numerous examples of public participation in shaping public spaces, it was noticed that the initiation, course and effects of activities largely depend on the social capital of the group undertaking said activity. Accordingly, there is a need for research on the mutual relation between the level of social capital and the issue of shaping and managing public space with the participation of local communities, which will be the main topic of the paper. To investigate the above-mentioned issue, qualitative research methods were used in relation to the relationship: site visit, non-participant observation and focus interviews. This contributed to a comparative study of three selected Warsaw case studies. They were analysed in terms of meeting the qualitative criteria selected for the study. These criteria have been indicated on the basis of the Social Capital Development Strategy 2020, which is one of the parts of the Medium-Term National Development Strategy. The result of the analyses is an indication of derived factors from within the group of space users and external factors that have a positive and negative impact on initiating, carrying out and maintaining the effects of changes in common spaces developed with the participation of local communities in Polish conditions. The conclusions can be used to improve future participation processes related to urban space - both by non-professionals participating in them, as well as experts - architects and town planners.

scholarly journals Social capital as a constitutive element of public security

2021 ◽  
pp. 91-104
Author(s):  
Monika Adamczyk
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Interpersonal Relations ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Public Security ◽  
Economic Changes ◽  
The Social ◽  
Democratic Relations

When looking for new solutions to the old social problems, people pay attention to important issues for the good functioning of today’s society, including interpersonal relations, trust, or standards. The term “social capital” has been used for several decades to describe and explain social and political as well as economic changes that took place as a result of the social and economic transformation. It also refers to activities including, among others, the creation of partnerships and democratic relations in local communities in which the social capital forms a basis of permanent networks of social involvement, trust, and mutuality. The purpose of this article is to present the benefits of the local community arising from social capital resources and their positive impact on public safety.

scholarly journals The Sharing Economy and Sustainability of Urban Destinations in the (Over)tourism Context: The Social Capital Theory Perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piotr Zmyślony ◽  
Grzegorz Leszczyński ◽  
Anna Waligóra ◽  
Wiesław Alejziak
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
Bonding Social Capital ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

This article contributes to the discussion on the sustainability of the sharing economy by adopting the Social Capital Theory to expand explanations of the sharing economy’s role and scope of relations with local communities in the context of overtourism. As mutual relationships have not been fully recognized through a theoretical perspective, the article aims to examine the sustainability of the process of the sharing economy impacting urban tourism communities in light of Robert Putnam’s approach to Social Capital Theory. On the basis of a selective systematic review, the article discusses the sustainability of the sharing economy through the lens of bridging and bonding social capital. We argue that a new configuration of social capital, i.e., a sharing platform-modified social capital, arises from the unsustainable and disruptive power of the sharing economy implemented by virtual platforms, thereby contributing to an overtourism syndrome. However, from a medium- and long-term perspective, the sharing economy also impacts the bridging nature of social capital, which should lead to a more sustainable balance in its structure. This initial framework for understanding the impact of the sharing economy on sustainability of local communities provides an alternative approach to studying residents’ perceptions and attitudes towards tourism in the areas affected by overtourism.

SOCIAL CAPITAL IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES – ITS IMPORTANCE, CIRCUMSTANCES AND BARRIERS OF PROGRESSION IN THE PROCESS OF COMBATING POVERTY

2021 ◽  
Vol 22T (1 (tematyczny)) ◽  
pp. 2-7
Author(s):  
Dariusz Zalewski
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Defense Mechanism ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
New Model ◽  
Main Thesis ◽  
The Social ◽  
New Form

The aim of this article is to present the importance, circumstances, and barriers of social capital progression in the process of combating poverty at a local level. Article refers to project “Capacity – new form of social capital in town community Przasnysz”, which aim is to develop a new model of combating poverty at a local level. The main thesis says the social capital index in Poland is low, and its role is one of the most important defense mechanism against poverty.

Community Dimensions of Smuggling: The Case of Afghanistan and Somalia

2018 ◽  
Vol 676 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nassim Majidi
Keyword(s):  
Community Involvement ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
The West ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Family Ties ◽  
Key Points ◽  
The Social ◽  
Strength Of Ties

This article uses an ecological systems approach to detail community involvement in smuggling in Afghanistan and Somalia—two countries that have similar patterns of irregular outmigration to the West and geopolitical and human security dynamics. I emphasize community connections and family ties as the key points around which irregular migration takes place and smuggling persists. In both of these countries, smugglers are members of local communities. The social organization of smuggling is strongest at community-based points of origin, then weakens as migrants and smugglers get farther from their homes, owing to a growing diversity of actors, cultures, and languages. By analyzing the strength of ties in communities involved in smuggling, the dynamics of referrals and guarantees, and interactions across various distances, this analysis takes the focus away from the causal and economic logic of smuggling to delve instead into its relational dimensions.

scholarly journals Opportunities and Limitations of Using the Technology of Inter-Municipal Cooperation As a Tool for Activating Social Capital and Developing the Tourist Attractiveness of Territories

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 63-69
Author(s):  
E.V. Frolova ◽  
◽  
O.V. Rogach ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Analytical Methods ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Social Technology ◽  
Cluster Approach ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
The Social ◽  
Intermunicipal Cooperation

the article discusses the possibilities and limitations of using the technology of intermunicipal cooperation as a tool for activating the social capital of local communities. Using a set of analytical methods, as well as the method of analyzing information sources, the authors develop the key provisions of this social technology: the algorithm of its implementation in municipal authorities, organizational and economic forms of cooperation of municipalities, the principles of implementing the cluster approach in order to develop the tourist attractiveness of municipalities. The advantages and risks of using the technology of inter-municipal cooperation by local authorities in modern socio-economic conditions are substantiated.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Social Capital and Physical Activity Participation Motivation in the Elderly

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-194
Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Baladastian ◽  
◽  
Sara Janmohammadi ◽  
Shima Haghani ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Physical Activity Participation ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
The West ◽  
Participation Motivation ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Relationship

Background: In recent years, social capital, and especially its importance among the elderly has attracted the attention of researchers. Moreover, it was suggested that older adults lack sufficient physical activity that may be due to the lack of motivation. Accordingly, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between social capital and physical activity participation motivation among the elderly living in the west of Tehran City, Iran, in 2020. Methods: This was a descriptive correlational study. The research population consisted of aged individuals present in the public areas of the west of Tehran City, Iran (districts 5, 9, 21, & 22 of Tehran Municipality), such as sidewalks and passages, shopping centers, parks, mosques, and so on. In total, 400 subjects were recruited by the multistage sampling method. The Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT), Participation Motivation Questionnaire for Older Adults (PMQOA), and Onyx and Bullen social capital scale were used to gather the required data. The obtained data were analyzed by Pearson’s correlation coefficient, Independent Samples t-test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) in SPSS at the significance level of P<0.05. Results: The Mean±SD social capital of the study subjects was equal to 86.27±23.3. The fitness and social factors of activity participation motives had the highest (49.72±19.34) and lowest (18.97±15.96) Mean±SD values (based on an index of 0-100). Social capital was significantly associated with physical activity participation motivators (except fitness & medical subscales) (P<0.05). Social capital was also associated with occupational status, the number of children, house size, and the economic status of the research subjects (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to the obtained results, the social capital of the elderly participating in this study was pretty low. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between social capital and the motivators of physical activity participation (apart from fitness & medical); this result signifies the necessity of attention to the social capital of the elderly.

scholarly journals Overview of the "Social capital": Its relevance and implications for local communities conference

Sociologija ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
-urednistvo
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Radical Change ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Face ◽  
And Control ◽  
Conference Papers ◽  
The Way

Paper presents the partial and idiosyncratic concluding overview of issues raised and discussed during the conference. In different contexts the turn to social capital seems to be a response to feelings that society is "at risk" in the face of radical change (albeit in quite different ways). Under these circumstances, social capital offers a particular sort of explanation of, and remedy for dealing with, perceived changes in the way we live. Conceptually social capital provides a link between families, communities and society, and practically it promises order and control. Three over-reaching perspectives on social capital were represented in the conference papers: erosion, new forms, and continued inequalities. Also methods in defining social capital and its operationalisation have been subject to much debate. The contributions to the "Social capital" conference show that debates about the nature, forms and effects of social capital are highly relevant across contexts.

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