The Role of Social Capital in Sustainable Development: A Sociological Perspective
Social Capital, Sustainable Development, Global South, Sociological Theory, Community Networks, Resilience, Resource Management, Social Equity, Environmental Sustainability, Collective Action
Abstract
This article examines the pivotal role of social capital in advancing sustainable development, particularly in the Global South. Defined as the networks, norms, and trust enabling collective action, social capital facilitates cooperation, resource-sharing, and resilience-building within communities. Drawing on sociological theory and case studies from various regions, this study explores the interplay between social networks, political structures, and economic systems in achieving long-term sustainability. The findings highlight how bonding, bridging, and linking social capital contribute to resource management, resilience to crises, and social equity. However, challenges such as exclusivity and declining institutional trust are also discussed, providing a nuanced perspective on leveraging social capital for sustainable development goals.
References
1. Allcott, H., Gentzkow, M. & Yu, C. (2021). Research & Politics 8, 1–8.
2. Ayee, J., Ayittey, F. K. & Mensah, J. (2019). African Journal of Political Science 10, 251–270.
3. Bourdieu, P. (1986). In Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education, (Richardson, J. G., ed.), pp. 241–258. Greenwood.
4. Coleman, J. S. (1988). American Journal of Sociology 94, S95– S120.
5. El-Masri, A. & Wills, A. (2021). Journal of Peace Studies 28, 321– 339.
6. Fukuyama, F. (2001). Third World Quarterly 22, 7–20.
7. Gutiérrez, M. I., Camacho, A. & Pardo, C. (2023). Environment and Urbanization 35, 115–132.
8. International, T. (2022). Retrieved from https://www. transparency.org/en/publications.
9. Kovács, B. (2020). Journal of Democratic Studies 18, 89–102.
10. Onyx, J. & Bullen, P. (2000). The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science 36, 23–42.
11. Portes, A. (1998). Annual Review of Sociology 24, 1–24.
12. Pretty, J. & Ward, H. (2001). World Development 29, 209–227.
13. Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. Simon & Schuster.
14. Woolcock, M. & Narayan, D. (2000). The World Bank Research Observer 15, 225–249.
15. Xie, Y., Lin, Z. & Huang, Y. (2022). Journal of Rural Studies 92, 11–23.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Forefront in Sociology & Political Sciences
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
