Social change and social capital in Australia: a solution for contemporary problems?

Abstract

Profound social changes associated with globalization, economic rationalism and pluralism have sparked concern with social cohesiveness, integration and national identity in contemporary Australia. ‘Social capital’ is frequently invoked as the phenomenon that can restore cohesiveness and integration. However, this reading of social capital is heavily dependent on Putnam’s formulation of the concept and overlooks the earlier work of Bourdieu and Coleman. Bourdieu in particular suggests that social capital is an analytical tool to explain social stratification, not, as Putnam argues, a normative tool to enhance working together on collective goals.We review recent Australian writing on social capital and argue that it is frequently used in the way Putnam advocates and that it is theoretically and empirically inadequate to redress many of the issues facing contemporary Australia.

Key Words:

• civil society
• community
• national community
• social capital
• social change