Term: Social Capital

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Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2006-01-24

Definition:

Connections among individuals - social networks and the norms of reciprocity and trustworthiness that arise from them. Social capital is closely related to what some have called "civic virtue." The difference is that social capital calls attention to the fact that civic virtue is most powerful when embedded in a sense network of reciprocal social relations. A society of many virtuous but isolated individuals is not necessarily rich in social capital. ( Source: Putnam, R.D. Bowling Alone. The collapse and revival of American community. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2000.)

Term used in 

• Chartier M, Finlayson G, Prior H, McGowan K, Chen H, de Rocquigny J, Walld R, Gousseau M. Health and Healthcare Utilization of Francophones in Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2012. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Lix L, Finlayson G, Yogendran M, Bond R, Bodnarchuk J, Soodeen R. Primary Prevention: An Examination of Data Capabilities in Manitoba (January 2005). Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2005. [Report] [Summary] (View)