The Myth of Social Capital in Community Development

Article Critique

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Introduction

Social capital is a significant theme in global policies, particularly under housing and community development initiatives. Interestingly, the wealthy in the United States struggle with social isolation and disconnectedness. Amid this backdrop, it is crucial to understand why policymakers concerned with economic growth in economically disadvantaged regions emphasize the significance of social networks and connections to lift low-income individuals and societies out of poverty. This offers the rationale to argue that wealthy citizens are exposed to different goodies and challenges, which cannot be equated to the normal life of individuals from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Economic disparities are well-established in American society, and such divisions should prompt policymakers to rethink the value of social capital (Gelderblom, 2018). DeFilippis’s (2001) article critically challenges the prevailing discourse of social capital in community development. This paper summarizes the article and critiques the author’s understanding of social capital based on Robert Putman.

Summary

The author employs a historical and theoretical approach to rationalize his arguments against the prevailing trends in social capital. Roots of social capital are effectively