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Social Capital

Social Capital is in the news again with suggestions that potential migrants should do voluntary work.

There probably is some feedback both ways. However, Social Capital is measured by the extent to which people trust strangers. Robert Putnam's book "Bowling Alone" deals with this. The link gives some reference to this.

I would think, however, that the approach and arguments used by government also have some effects on attitudes.

Comments

An Englishman in D.C. said…
I think the government is not trying to raise social capital in this case but rather to apease the unapeasable far right. If the government was serious about raising social capital, it would not seek to alienate people on a regular basis.
7:05 pm
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