Social Capital in the Developing World

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Recommended: Effects of globalization on society

The globalized world today is getting very advanced in all areas and so has become very competitive. This then accommodates the use of a comparative approach in society. Comparative, an activity derived from the word comparison meaning to compare, it is defined as a research which uses data that are compared between at least two countries (Ragin, 1987).

This comparative study is a very important phenomenon in the field of social science and commenced in the1960s and 1970s. It is used as an essential form of an investigating tool in analyzing the operations between different countries with a view to formulate solutions for under- developed countries and to give details of the development of social structuring in the framing of public policies (Ghorra-Gobin, discussion paper No. 40).

In order to do a comparative analysis/study, a case study is usually done between two countries. The objective is to foster a better understanding of how and why certain scenarios occur in one country and how it relates to the same scenario in the other country. One such example is the political stability in Guyana (an undeveloped country) with a ranking of 26 % compared to the political stability in the United Kingdom (a developed country) with a ranking of 66% (worldwide governance indicators). A qualitative and quantitative format is utilized in order to assess systems within government and its political affiliates. Charles Ragin states that this comparative method can be used as a means of experience in using data from one country to another in order to improve stability.

The main objective of the comparative approach method is mainly to improve efficiency, effectiveness, growth and development in under-developed countries and a...

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...edge Publishers. New York, USA.

ARTICLES

Boyne, I., (2009). Gleaner Article: Jamaica's losing battle with corruption.

Fukuyama, F., (2000). Social capital and civil society. Issues 2000-2074. IMF Institute.

IMF Working Paper

Ghorra-Gobin, C. The Comparative Social Science Approach. Discussion Paper No. 40.

www.unesco.org/shs/most

Gregory, R.J., (1999). Social Capital Theory and Administrative Reform: Maintaining Ethical

Probity in Public Service. Vol. 59, No. 1 (Jan. - Feb., 1999), pp. 63-75. Blackwell Publishing. Public Administration Review.

Powell, L. A. (2009). Probing Jamaica’s Political Culture: Main trends in the July-August 2006

Leadership and Governance. Department of Government, UWI, Mona, Kingston

WEBSITES

Worldwide Governance Indicators. www. info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi/index.asp .

Retrieved September 20, 2010.

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