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Distributed for University of British Columbia Press

Social Capital, Diversity, and the Welfare State

Social capital is arguably the most critical idea to emerge in the social sciences in the last two decades. Emphasizing the importance of social networks, communication, and the symbolic and material exchanges that strengthen communities, social capital has been the subject of an expansive body of literature. Social Capital, Diversity, and the Welfare State represents a landmark consideration of the diverse meanings, causal foundations, and positive and negative consequences of social capital, with a particular focus on its role in mitigating or enhancing social inequalities.

The chapters, written by economists, political scientists, and sociologists, address a range of empirical and theoretical issues. This book is cutting-edge addition to the field that offers fresh insights into the conceptualization, operation, sources, and consequences of social capital in Canadian society.


368 pages | © 2006

Equality | Security | Community

Political Science: Public Policy


Table of Contents

Figures and Tables

1 Introduction  /  Fiona M. Kay and Richard Johnston

Part 1: Theoretical Overview

2 Ubiquity and Disciplinary Contrasts of Social Capital  /  Fiona M. Kay and Richard Johnston

3 The Dynamics of Social Capital: Who Wants to Stay In If Nobody Is Out?  /  Fiona M. Kay and Paul Bernard

4 Equality, Trust, and Multiculturalism  /  Avigail Eisenberg

Part 2: Studies of Social Capital and Determinants of Social Capital

5 Measuring and Modelling Trust   /  Stuart N. Soroka, John F. Helliwell, and Richard Johnston

6 Gender, Early Experiences with “Social Capital,” and
Adult Community Participation  /  James Curtis and Thomas Perks

7 Ethnicity and Social Capital in Canada  /  Amanda Aizlewood and Ravi Pendakur

8 Social Capital and Political Struggles of Immigrants: Sri Lankan Tamils and Black Caribbean Peoples in Toronto  /  Sara Abraham

Part 3: Consequences of Social Capital: Policy and Government Programs

9 Social Capital and Intergenerational Coresidence: How Ethnic Communities and Families Shape Transitions to Adulthood  /  Barbara A. Mitchell

10 Social capital and Health in Canada: (Compositional) Effects of Trust, Participation in Networks, and Civic Activity on Self-Rated Health  /  Gerry Veenstra

11 Ethnicity, Trust, and the Welfare State  /  Stuart N. Soroka, Richard Johnston, and Keith Banting

Works Cited

Contributors

Index

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