Military Review English Edition September-October 2013 | Page 15
S O C I A L C A P I TA L
Building Social Capital
So how do we build social capital? A variety of communities, organizations, schools, and employers create social capital through policies, structure, and activities. Like-minded individuals can form groups around a variety of interests. Organizations like the Elks, Rotary Club, and Veterans of Foreign Wars provide examples of individuals coming together. In addition, school communities—both public, private, and charter—offer chances to build social capital. All these opportunities require a place to congregate, meet, and build the bonds needed for the trust found in social capital. Beyond the members, the place facilitates gathering to form networks and the associated norms. The workplace, as the “single most important site of cooperative interaction and sociability among adult citizens outside the family,” also provides a contemporary potential for social capital.14 While some argue that the forced association and hierarchical leadership of the workplace might limit opportunities for social capital, it is possible to create the bonds needed for social capital. Work also generates a diffusion of opinions, ideas, and beliefs.15 While the average workplace—because our time is not our own and we involuntarily associate for a paycheck—is not a complete solution to finding social capital, there are opportunities if we can integrate work lives with social lives and the community.16
ing television instead of conducting civic activities.20 Moreover, studies of social media and mutual support found that online social networkers feel isolated, despite large numbers of “friends.”21 In addition, a sorted population limits bridging opportunities. Beyond suburbanization and the opportunity costs of long commutes on families, communities, and activities, clustering of like-minded individuals destroys bridging social capital. In his book The Big Sort, Bill Russell found that political segregation from sorting reinforced inequalities.22 Why does this decline matter? States with increased social capital have less crime. Education improves. Sense of community develops. In addition, social networks provide a safety net through “tangible assistance,” like money, care, and transportation. Moreover, evidence leads to social capital improving health outcomes and norms and inhibiting depression.23 By understanding the effects of social capital, where it is declining, and how to reverse the drop, we can better organizations by affecting positive changes in a group’s norms.
The Army, the Profession, and Social Capital
Social Capital Measured
Recent data shows that social capital declined throughout the United States over the past half century. Putnam’s Bowling Alone addresses this decline through an in-depth diagnosis of declining political participation, civic engagement, church attendance, and general community engagement. Other researchers identified a decline in social trust in American youth, as well, resulting from an increase in materialistic values that erode the virtues necessary for collective action.17 Putnam also sees this generational decline in trust “accelerating.”18 Where does this decline come from? Some argue it might be television or computers.19 Increased television consumption among youth undermines their interaction with others and involvement in activities. While not causal, there is a correlation between television usage and decreased civic engagement because heavy watchers spend time isolated—watchMILITARY REVIEW ? September-October 2013
Social capital strengthens two of the five essential characteristics of the Army Profession: trust and esprit de corps. In addition, the Army Culture spurs the growth of social capital within the Army Profession, breeding opportunities to use the norms of reciprocity, trust, pride, and mutual assistance. By understanding the Ar ???e??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????A?????????Q?????
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