Local nets and social capital

This paper examines the relationship between local nets and social capital (networks, support and trust) in local communities. The relationship is examined through a review of literature on local nets and social capital and through an introduction to an ongoing study of a local net in Sweden. In the literature of social science it has been a common theme that changes in urban industrial society have undermined social capital in the community. The development of computer-based communication networks has added a new dimension to the argument, posing the question of whether local nets can (re-)create social capital in local communities. There is a division between those commentators who see local nets as a threat to existing forms of community and others who believe they provide new bases for social capital. In order to examine the impact of local nets on social capital a case study is being conducted of a local net project in a relatively marginalised community in Stockholm. The aim of the local net is to increase social capital in the community, especially with reference to disadvantaged groups. An evaluation of the project is taking place using mixed methodologies, including both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The paper describes the first study in the research project: a survey administrated to residents not yet connected to the local net. Initial analysis suggests that there is a relatively low level of social capital in the community. The respondents, however, have high expectations in relation to the potential of the local net for enhancing social capital. There are few differences in expectation between different groups in the population. This suggests that the local net may well be a way of including disadvantaged groups in the local community (as well as in the wider society). Whether the use of local nets can (re-)create social capital in the local community, only later phases in the research will show. The hypothesis of the research, though, is that the use of local nets will lead to an increase in association, support and trust that provide the foundation for collaboration, common identity and social capital in the community.