Racial Diversity and Social Capital: Equality and Community in America

ISBN-13: 9780521698610 / Angielski / Miękka / 2007 / 220 str.

Rodney E. Hero

Opis

Race and racial diversity are important aspects of America and have been shown to substantially affect social relations and the political system, often in ways inconsistent with the values of equality. However, greater civic association and a general sense of community, embodied in the concept of social capital, are said to have tremendous beneficial effects and profoundly influence American society. This study juxtaposes and critically assesses two bodies of research, including the work made famous in Robert Putnam''s Bowling Alone, that have reached different conclusions on these issues. Is America's legacy of racial inequality an 'evil twin' of the benefits of social capital? By analyzing the social outcomes for racial minorities, in addition to other dimensions of American politics, the author shows that the impact of racial diversity consistently outweighs that of social capital.

Recenzje

'… Hero's findings are socially very relevant. Besides, they are fascinating and thought-provoking for all scholars and students interested in social capital and racial diversity. The author's joint evaluation of the racial diversity and social capital perspectives make this work a significant contribution to both social capital and racial diversity research; two perspectives of research which have hitherto mostly been applied separately.' Sociology

Spis treści

1. Introduction; 2. The social capital thesis; 3. The racial diversity thesis; 4. Examining social outcomes, and civic and economic equality; 5. Voter turnout and other forms of participation in context; 6. Public policy outputs; 7. Conclusions.