Social Capital's Roles in Community Building

Introduction

Social capital plays a role in community building and economic development. Through grants, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation supports research on issues related to poverty. In 1996, the Mott Foundation awarded two grants in hopes of refining and redirecting the approach to community building. First, a grant was awarded to Robert Putnam to lead academicians, advocates, and practitioners in the exploration of ways to generate social capital and ultimately strengthen civil society. Second, another grant was awarded to the National Civic League (NCL) to teach community-based organizations how to perform their own evaluations.

This position paper examines the perspectives of academicians, advocates, grant makers, and practitioners on social capital and its role in community building found in the two essays by Wallis (1998) and Wallis, Crocker, and Schetcher (1998). While there does not seem to be much consensus of its meaning and significance, social capital has been a concept that frames policy debate and redirects practice.

Research Questions and Methodology

To answer the research question about how each of these perspectives views social capital and its role in community building, two data collection methods were used. Literature reviews were completed including position papers and annual reports. Interviews were also conducted with advocates, 28 grant makers from 16 national foundations, and practitioners from organizations that worked alongside the NCL.

Findings and Conclusion

The first perspective is academician (Wallis, Crocker, & Schechter, 1998). They have university appointments and develop and test theories through empirical studies. There is a focus in the essay on Robert Putnam’s publication titled Maki...

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...g efforts that can be regarded as mutual learning among all stakeholders in the processes. It merges these four perspectives and allows for the development of social capital. Five characteristics of empowerment evaluation include value-based, participatory, collaborative, integrative, and reflective (Wallis, 1998). In summary, the formation of social capital is a step towards civil society which is achieved when these four perspectives come together in community-building networks.

Works Cited

Moore, M. (1988). What sort of ideas become public ideas? In R. Reich (ed.), The power of public ideas. Cambridge, MA: Ballinger.

Wallis, A., Crocker, J.P., & Schechter, B. (1998). Social capital and community building: Part one. National Civic Review, 83(3), 253-71.

Wallis, A. (1998). Social capital and community building: Part two. National Civic Review, 87(4), 317-36.