Putnam's Intro to Social Capital

Social capital is essentially about relationships. Thus, this topic is incredibly relevant to a relational approach to adult education.

Putnam (2000) indicates that “social capital refers to connections among individuals – social networks and the norms of reciprocity and trustworthiness that arise from them” (p. 19). These networks and norms have significant social value.

Putnam also informs us that there are two forms of social capital: bonding social capital, which enhances cohesion within a particular social group, and bridging social capital, which links diverse groups to each other. Each form of social capital generates specific types of benefits.

Putnam’s book was developed in response to a very important puzzle: the sharp decline in the level of multiple manifestations of social capital in the last third of the 20th century in the United States of America. After rising levels of social capital during the first two-thirds of the century, manifestations of social capital went into marked decline. Understanding the causes and consequences of this decline is the goal of Putnam’s work.

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