"Social capital," a new idea gaining worldwide recognition, is explored in this book through studies of education, health, political science, urban regeneration, and economic development. Providing a unique overview of the topic, together with critical discussion of its application in a wide variety of fields, the volume offers the first full critical analysis of social capital, written by academics, professionals and policy specialists who are all distinguished and prominent contributors in their own fields.

How do education and learning really impact on people's lives?
The Benefits of Learning is a detailed, systematic and vivid account of the impact of formal and informal education on people's lives. Based on extended interviews with adults of all ages, it shows how learning affects their health, family lives and participation in civic life, revealing the downsides of education as well as the benefits. At a time when education is in danger of being narrowly regarded as an instrument of economic growth, this study covers:
* the interaction between learning and people's physical...

How does education and learning really impact on people's lives? Based on extended interviews with adults of all ages, The Benefits of Learning is a detailed, systematic and vivid account of the impact of formal and informal education on people's lives.