Social capital is as an empirically elusive concept and has been subject to much discussion and debate with particular reference to its definition, functions, social regeneration, economic benefits, positive and negative aspects, indicators of measurement, gender insensitivity and its implications for development policy. Social capital is characterized by trust, reciprocity and cooperation which are non-material forms of capital, invisible to the eye but having visible effects. Of late, there has been much policy and academic interest in the capacity of social capital to generate micro-level effects such as efficient economics, democratic politics, active communities and broad-based growth. Debates about social capital as a multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary concept offer ground for sustained interaction and future theoretical development within the areas of social sciences, creating research ties and opening up networking opportunities between disciplines. The contribution of social capital to economic development can be assessed by considering the role of social cohesion that results from networks of trust and reciprocity in meeting the objectives like poverty alleviation. Social capital positively impacts output by providing human capital and access to other resources including credit. Treating knowledge and health as capabilities, some researchers have found vital links between social capital and Amertya Sen’s capability theory. The book will prove immensely useful to the students and teachers of social sciences, researchers in this field, policymakers, social workers and organisations concerned with social welfare. It will be equally interesting and informative for the general readers.

Table of Contents:
1. Social Capital–An Overview–K.R.Gupta 2. Introduction of Increasing Scientific Horsepower: Social Capital, Cross-Disciplinarity, and Trust–Gunnar Lind Haase Svendsen 3. The Role of Social Capital within Regeneration; Can Building Social Capital Benefit Regeneration Contexts? A Review of the Literature–Louise Warwick-Booth 4. Defining Social Capital–David Conrad 5. Social Capital Formation in Rural, Urban and Suburban Communities–David L. Debertin and Stephan J. Goetz 6. Managing Through Social Capital: The Importance of Social Capital for Women in Combating Social Exclusion–Victoria Gosling 7. Social Capital: Provoking, Promising and Problematic–Gunnar Lind Haase Svendsen 8. Social Capital and Community Heterogeneity –Hilde Coffé 9. Gendering Social Capital Theory–Sam Wong 10. Some Reflections on Gift Theory and Social Capital–Anne Gray 11. Non-profit Organizations, Social Capital and Regional Economic Growth–Jesús Clemente; Carmen Marcuello and Fernando Pueyo 12. Public Sculpture and Community Social Capital Generation–David Conrad 13. The Role of Social Capital in Research Participation–Sally Lindsay and Simon Smith Bibliography Contributors Volume 2: 1. Engendering Social Capital: Women Workers and Rural–Urban Networks in Indonesia’s Crisis –Rachel Silvey and Rebecca Elmhirst 2. Trust and Family–Eric M. Uslaner 3. Trust and Consequences–Eric M. Uslaner 4. Knowledge Sharing for Developing Social Capital–Tapomoy Deb 5. Complex Cultures: Rereading the Story about Health and Social Capital–Sara C. MacKian 6. Do Social Trusters Like Immigrants? The Impact of Social Capital on People’s Attitudes Towards Immigration–Francisco Herreros 7. Social Cohesion as Factor in Development –Ivor Chipkin 8. The Contribution of Income, Social Capital, and Institutions to Human Well-being in Africa –Mina Baliamoune-Lutz and Stefan Lutz Contributors