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.

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.

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.

BUILDING THE SOCIAL CAPITAL IN RURAL AREAS’ SMES WOMEN COOPERATIVE, GARGALIANI, SOUTH-WEST PELOPONNESOS

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonidas Papakonstantinidis
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Local People ◽  
Human Communication ◽  
South West ◽  
The Social ◽  
Development Procedure

The purpose of this paper is to prove that the rationalization of the “Integrated Endogenous Local Development” should be proved to be a valuable policy mean, under the proposed methodological procedure of Sensitizing Local People, through the “animation procedure”, toward developing their own skills, capacities and therefore their place, that are asked by the local SMEs Sensitization may be proved to be the fundamental methodological tool, for building the social capital at local level, by making valuable local people’s “intrinsic inclinations”-a “term” which is stronger than “capacities”- under a new value system, and human communication. ”Sensitization” - as the upper limit of the sensitization procedure- is been approached, step by step, especially: Establishing the “bottom-up approach” in planning the development procedure at local level, Establishing the “animation procedure” among local people, Analysing local people “intrinsic inclinations” in context with a “system value”, Creating a “team psychology” among local people, Encouraging local people in finding and adopting the local “Flag Theme”. The proposed procedure may be useful, especially in small, less developed and isolated rural areas. A case-study “Women Cooperative, Gargaliani, South-West Peloponnesos”, is referred as a typical case of the development procedure, based on local people (women) animation in Greece.

scholarly journals Social Capital, Well-Being and Municipality: Salaspils Municipality (Latvia) Case

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-75
Author(s):  
Inga Jēkabsone ◽  
Biruta Sloka
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Political Sciences ◽  
Participatory Techniques ◽  
The Social ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract During the last three decades, social capital has gained prominence throughout the social sciences. The concepts has been analysed in various manners (from perspectives of economics, political sciences, sociology, anthropology etc.) providing wide range of theoretical conceptualizations. The aim of paper is to analyse the relation of social capital and possibility to improve the well-being of the municipality’s citizens using co-responsibility approach. In order to achieve the aim, the tasks are formulated as follows: 1) to review theoretical background for concept of social capital and subjective well-being, 2) to analyse the factors of social capital at local level, and 3) to use the results of conducted empirical research at Salaspils municipality in analysing the correlation of level of social capital and possibility to improve well-being implementing inclusive local management. Research methods used: Scientific literature studies, several stages of focus group discussions, statistical data analysis, SPIRAL methodology, scenario method. The main findings of the paper - there are evidences on relation of social capital and possibility to improve the well-being of the municipality’s citizens. In municipalities with sufficient level of social capital are good opportunities to use participatory techniques for achieving higher level of overall well-being. The paper consists of practical value how to mobilise the social capital of the municipality in order to ensure the inclusive management of the territory.

Leading from behind: democratic consolidation and the chieftaincy in South Africa

2004 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Michael Williams
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Democratic Consolidation ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
The Social ◽  
Transformative Process ◽  
Official Recognition ◽  
Societal Relations

Despite the dramatic changes that have occurred in South Africa over the last fifteen years, the chieftaincy remains an important political institution that continues to exercise authority. It has not only been given official recognition and protection in the constitution, but has attempted to become more involved in activities such as development, local government, and elections. How this institution might affect the process of democratic consolidation, however, has failed to generate much research. This article explores the ways in which the chieftaincy has responded to the introduction of democratic electoral practices at the local level. While the chieftaincy has not been immune from the social and political changes that have swept through the country since the transition, it has nonetheless sought to direct, or redirect, these changes in ways that bolster its own authority. Many local communities expect the chieftaincy not only to assist with the formal electoral process, but also to allow for more participation within local level chieftaincy institutions. A close examination of chieftaincy–societal relations demonstrates that while the chieftaincy has been affected by new democratic rules and practices, it has also influenced how local communities practice and understand these same rules and practices. This mutually transformative process illustrates the complexity of democratic consolidation, as well as the ability of the chieftaincy to adapt to changing political and social environments without sacrificing its unique claims to authority.

scholarly journals Raznolikost opredeljevanja in preučevanja socialnega kapitala v geografiji in sorodnih znanstvenih vedah

2020 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Logar
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Heuristic Model ◽  
Political Sciences ◽  
Scientific Disciplines ◽  
The Social

Opredelitve in pristopi k preučevanju socialnega kapitala so v znanstvenih vedah (na primer geografiji, sociologiji, zgodovini, politologiji, antropologiji) raznoliki in celo protislovni, koncept socialnega kapitala pa je zato kritiziran zaradi teoretske nekonsistentnosti. Koncept socialnega kapitala se kot predmet preučevanja različnih znanstvenih ved nekritično in brez utemeljitev označuje kot »interdisciplinarni«. Prispevek z namenom osvetlitve interdisciplinarnosti koncepta, vsebinsko analizira 17 opredelitev socialnega kapitala. Z vsebinsko analizo je prepoznanih šest gradnikov socialnega kapitala, ki so med seboj tesno prepleteni in ne omogočajo enoznačne določitve pomenskega jedra. Opisani so raziskovalni pristopi iz geografije in sorodnih ved, ki so zasnovani na teh opredelitvah. Pristopi odsevajo, da se socialni kapital krovno uporablja kot hevristični model za teoretsko, metodološko in epistemološko sicer zelo raznolike raziskave. Raziskav, ki bi bile zasnovane primerjalno, primanjkuje, prezrto pa je tudi preučevanje na lokalni ravni. Koncept socialnega kapitala je razširjen v številnih znanstvenih vedah, vendar pa so raziskave z interdisciplinarno zasnovo dokaj maloštevilne. //   The definitions and research approaches of the social capital are diverse and even contradictory in the scientific disciplines (i.e. geography, sociology, history, political sciences, anthropology). The concept of social capital as a research object of various scientific disciplines is often criticized due to its theoretical inconsistency and labelled as an interdisciplinary approach uncritically and without any references in the scientific literature. Paper aims to enlighten interdisciplinarity of concept through 17 definitions of social capital, which are assembled through literature review. The content analysis points out six building blocks of social capital, which are tightly connected; there is no simple identification of the semantic core of definitions. The research approaches in geography and related disciplines, which are conceptualized based on those definitions, are also described. The research approaches reflect a diversity, as social capital is used as a heuristic model for theoretical, methodological and epistemological diverse researches. Through the literature review, lack of comparative researches on a local level is identified. The concept of social capital is extended in many disciplines, but there are only a few interdisciplinary conceptualized researches.

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.

Coordination and Trust in Public Relations with Local Governments

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-99
Author(s):  
M. Luk'yanova ◽  
Ya. Makzhanova
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Public Relations ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Strategic Development ◽  
Legal Provisions ◽  
The Social

The theory of organizational culture by G. Hofstede, the section of individualismcollectivism is defined as interdisciplinary foundations. The autonomy and independence of local self-government, contained in Russian and European legal provisions, is not the norm, it has been proven to increase the level and is an element of the social capital of developed countries. In this model, elements of public administration at the local level, their interaction and influence on the final result of the activities of local authorities are proposed. The category elements included in the model were obtained by the method of comparative analysis with the identification of differences in local government systems in the process of their strategic development.

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.

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