SOCIAL CAPITAL AND POLITICS: FROM LOSING TRUST IN INSTITUTIONS TO CREATING A WELLBEING SOCIETY

Abstract

Social capital is an important factor in the society’s economic, political, andsocietal development. Societies/communities high in social capital are well organizedand they gain their interest or profi t through interest groups, and organized and well-networkedcommunities are deemed to be a very effective mechanism for controlling powers.This proves that social capital, as one of the most signifi cant factors, contributes to thestability of society, its economic prosperity, and political effi ciency. From the standpointof affi rmation, it is the path that almost certainly leads to a prosperous society. On theother hand, societies low in social capital have less developmental opportunities, whichmay to a signifi cant extent affect the functionality of the community at large. The conceptof social capital comprises three main components: trust, networks, and norms. Politicaleffectiveness of the society can be measured through social trust, and political effi ciencyis a necessary condition of high levels of social trust in the community. Contemporarysocieties are characterized by an increasing atomization of individuals, having an impacton citizen participation in civil and political processes, and consequently on the levels oftrust in institutions. This paper attempts to determine the relation between social capitaland politics, in other words, to identifying some of the leading causes of the loss of institutionaltrust. It discusses the importance of social policy regarding social capital withinthe framework of the public policy of society, and the measures that strengthen the wellbeingof society.