Much research has been conducted on types of social capital and how they can be leveraged. There is consensus on the distinction between three types of social capital:
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Bonding capital: the ability to utilize and strengthen relationships within a group of citizens with similar backgrounds.
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Bridging capital: the ability to utilize and strengthen relationships between distinct groups of citizens with diverse backgrounds.
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Linking capital: the ability to utilize and strengthen relationships with people and institutions outside the collective.
The first two - bonding and bridging - are important indicators of social cohesion within a collective or community, even when the group of citizens is not homogeneous. The third type of social capital primarily influences the collective’s ability to gain external allies and support, and potentially to access new sources of funding.
Reputation and attractiveness
It has been shown that strong and differentiated social capital benefits the collective’s and the community’s reputation both internally and externally. This, in turn, increases the appeal for people to become active members or take on leadership roles.
References
- R.D. Putnam, 2001. Bowling Alone. The collapse and Revival of American Community.
- R.D. Putnam, 1993. Making democracy work. Civic traditions in Modern Italy, Princeton University Press, Princeton.
- P.M. Karré en I. Van Meerkerk, 2019. Samen werken aan de wijk. Een bestuurskundige reflectie op de relatie tussen wijkcoöperaties en gemeente in Rotterdam.
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