Social Capital and Social Citizenship

Book excerpt: The fall of the Soviet Union, the collapse of the welfare state, changes in immigration patterns, and the rise of economic globalism have led to debate on what it means to be a citizen, and renewed interest in political participation, civil society, voluntary associations, and social capital. Social Capital and Social Citizenship brings together essays from Europe, North America, and South Africa that discuss the following issues: What is social capital? How can social capital be used to protect the rights of marginalized populations, such as women, racial minorities, immigrants, and the urban poor? Can voluntary associations step in where the state has failed, to replace the state or to urge the state to fulfill its obligations? How can the state work with voluntary associations to expand participation? Can social capital lead to social change? The contributors to Social Capital and Social Citizenship attempt to shed light on these questions, focusing particularly on issues of gender, race, and political power.