Reflecting on "Is Social Capital Really Capital?"

Reflecting on "Is Social Capital Really Capital?"

Lindon J. Robison -

The essence of social capital is what Adam Smith called sympathy and what we would call empathy.  Empathy allows us to internalize the well-being of others and motivates us to act for the good of others.

View the article in which colleagues and I review the definitions of social capital and propose one consistent with what Adam Smith proposed.

 

 

Did you find this article useful?

Other Articles in this Series

Connecting Social Capital and Income Distributions

Presentation: The Social Capital Synthesis of Behavioral and Socio-economics

Defining Commodification

“Predictably Irrational Choices” and Relational Goods

People

News

Prospective Students

Resources

  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University
Michigan State University wordmark

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).