A helpful book

One reading I did is “Bowling Alone” written by Robert Putnam who is a political scientist. According to Putnam, Social capital refers to connections among individuals-social networks and the norms of reciprocity and trustworthiness. This definition also identifies three dimensions of social capital: bonding, bridging and linking capital. ‘Bonding’ capital refers to social connections that build on commonality and homogeneity . Some illustrations of this form of capital include the bonds between family members and close friends. ‘Bridging’ capital refers to networks across ‘diverse social divisions’. This form of capital may be present in neighbourhood networks where people form relationships across identity differences. ‘Linking’ capital refers to alliances between communities and individuals with formal power, particularly power over resources required for social and economic development. The definition of social capital help me identify issue and project because it emphasizes that networks based on trust and reciprocity that enable people to collectively resolve common problems and achieve common goals.