About Social Capital

Jousairi Hasbullah:
There are at least two broad basic premises of social capital. First, social capital covers connections, networks, interactions, and reciprocity. The second, the quality of the first is shaped by norms, values, expectations and trust.
There are also two broad dimensions of social capital. 1. Bonding social capital which is characterized by exclusive orientation of individual or group behavior. 2. Bridging social capital which is inclusive.

Definition of social capital varies between experts. Some experts define social capital as connections among individuals, social networks and the norms of reciprocity and trustworthiness that arise from them (civic virtue). Civic virtue is most powerful when embedded in a sense network of reciprocal social relations (Robert D Putnam, 2000)

Another expert argue, social capital refers to the institutions, relationship, and norms that shape the quality and quantity of society's social interactions. It is not just the sums of institutions but that is a glue that bind them together.
Social capital consists of the stock of active connections among people: the trust,mutual understanding and shared values and behaviors that bind the members of human networks and communities and make cooperative action possible (Cohen and Prusak,2001)
Why It is Important?
Social capital allow citizens to resolve collective problems more easily. It also allow community to advance smoothly where people are trusting and trustworthy everyday business and transactions are less costly. Social capital embodied in norms and networks of civic engagements which can push economic development. If social capital increase, more cohesive, the experience of many countries the incidence of crime will decrease. If the degree of social capital low, people will cooperate in joint actions only under formal rules and regulations.
This is only a very brief and basic information regarding social capital.   If the readers in Indonesia want to learn more detail related to concept, dimensions and spectrum of social capital,  you can read the first book available in  Indonesia written by Jousairi Hasbullah under the title " social capital: menuju keunggulan budaya manusia Indonesia.
Jousairi Hasbullah
JSHcenter.Bandung July 2018.