Interrogating Social Capital

Recent years have seen the concept of social capital gain increasing currency, besides courting controversy, both in academic social science writing and in the development discourse of multilateral donor agencies. It has been viewed as an explanation for both the flourishing of democracy and economic development, and therefore as the potential key to successful development practices in the developing world. Presenting varied experiences of the interaction between social capital and the democratic functioning of a variety of institutions in India, the essays in this volume subject the notion of social capital to close and thorough scrutiny. The critique of social capital that this volume provides is strongly anchored in empirical case studies of three kinds: - field-based micro-studies in rural areas - sectoral studies in the areas of joint forest management, environment and education - macro-studies which relate indicators of human development to dimensions of social capital The contributors explore central issues concerning the inter-relationship between social capital and democracy. Additionally, they address important questions such as: Does social capital inhere in some communities and associations and not in others? Can it be `constructed` and, if so, which are the agencies best suited to do so?

"Given the rapid pace at which the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and other Asian economies are growing and the global volatility that these societies are experiencing, social capital and its divers connectivities can furnish useful anchoring to communities, neighbourhoods, local governments and social protection networks. This book provides a critical analysis of social capital, its indigenous evolution and spread in HKSAR. Some of the experiments and activities narrated in this book indicate the ingenious blending of the local ethos and culture with modern organisational forms and information networks." -- BACK COVER.

This book presents an alternative, critical perspective on the political economy of development and business. The everyday issues experienced by those on the margins are examined to highlight the Eurocentric bias at the centre of development theory, public policy, and business practices. Ruling class projects within these areas are critically evaluated in order to present a vision of development that recognises pluralistic traditions and people’s everyday experiences. Eurocentric liberal myopia and its praxis are outlined in development theory, public policy, and business practices. Particular focus is given to tribal planning, needs based development, public private partnerships, modes of capital accumulation, conscious capitalism, and creative business education. This book stands in defense of critical inquiry and pluriversal knowledge against the monolithic knowledge traditions and use of ruling class projects in development, public policy, and business ethics. It aims to explore new forms of economic transformation that are inclusive and worker led. It will be relevant to students and researchers interested in the political economy, development economics, and international business.

This collection of essays dissects American plays, movies and other performance types that examine America and its history and culture. From Amerindian stage performances to AIDS and post-9/11 America, it displays the various and important ways theatre and performance studies have examined and conversed with American culture and history.

This book discusses the multifaceted concept of disability in the context of India. Through analyses of theoretical propositions of disability in South Asia and empirical explorations of the lives of persons with disabilities in India, this book not only brings to the forefront a hitherto unexplored realm in academic discourse, but also bridges the gap between theory and lived reality, and between policy and practice. Thus, it is an important addition to the field of development studies in South Asia. The papers herein represent multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives from architects, lawyers, sociologists, political scientists, historians, economists and linguists to social work practitioners from the grassroots level. This range of insights from different disciplines allows for the exploration of a wide range of issues around disability and the lives of disabled people, moving from theoretical assumptions to exploring structural and infrastructural barriers, to problematizing different aspects of the lives of disabled people, and from objective realms to more subjective domains. Along with students and researchers of disability studies, this book is of interest to a diverse readership encompassing the social sciences, mental health, and development studies.

In large parts of the world, the reduction in the viability of agriculture and rural areas is an escalating problem. Sustainable Land Management offers a contemporary overview of the strategies employed to cope with the marginalisation of agriculture, through analyses of case studies and regional trends in marginalisation. The authors argue that complexities and driving forces governing marginalisation are not always the same across nations and regions due to climate, geography, economics, legislation and political status. This book illustrates in what form these complexities exist, and how these unravel at the national and regional levels. As the need to understand and cope with marginalisation processes has developed, the concept of multi-functionality has also gained a vital place in the string of coping strategies. This work contributes essential knowledge for the development of marginalisation mitigation policy actions across the globe. Informative and well-documented, this book will appeal to those researching and working in the fields of agricultural and resource economics, rural geography, environmental governance and sustainable development.

Despite considerable interest in social capital amongst urban policy makers and academics alike, there is currently little direct focus on its urban dimensions. In this volume leading urban researchers from the Netherlands, the UK, the USA, Australia, Italy and France explore the nature of social networks and the significance of voluntary associations for contemporary urban life. Networked Urbanism recognizes that there is currently a sense of crisis in the cohesion of the city which has led to public attempts to encourage networking and the fostering of 'social capital'. However, the contributors collectively demonstrate how new kinds of 'networked urbanism' associated with ghettoization, suburbanization and segregation have broken from the kind of textured urban communities that existed in the past. This has generated new forms of exclusionary social capital, which fail to significantly resolve the problems of poor residents, whilst strengthening the position of the advantaged. Grounded in theoretical reflection and empirical research, Networked Urbanism will be of interest to scholars and students of sociology, geography and urban studies, as well as to policy makers.

In developing countries, people histroically managed both the natural and social resources through collective actions. But development assistence has paid too little attention to how 'CPR Social Capital' affects comprise trust, reciprocity, institutional, etc. This book traces the link between comman property resources and social capital for mitigating poverty in tribal Jharkhand of Eastern India. The responsibility of mobilising the social capital rests equally with people, private enterpreneurs and government with particular reference to organisations promoting agriculture, natural resource management, tribal awaking, health, enviornment and social capital related programmes, and about the Church-inspired development of tribal Jharkhand, India.