Social Capital and Civil Society

Author/Editor:

Francis Fukuyama

Publication Date:

March 1, 2000

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

Social capital is an instantiated informal norm that promotes cooperation between individuals. In the economic sphere it reduces transaction costs, and in the political sphere it promotes the kind of associational life that is necessary for the success of limited government and modern democracy. Although social capital often arises from iterated Prisoner’s Dilemma games, it also is a byproduct of religion, tradition, shared historical experience, and other types of cultural norms. Thus whereas awareness of social capital is often critical for understanding development, it is difficult to generate through public policy.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2000/074

Subject:

Civil society Economic sectors Education Financial institutions Human capital Labor Social networks Stocks Technology

English

Publication Date:

March 1, 2000

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451849585/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA0742000

Pages:

18

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