Description
Book SynopsisThis book argues that using social capital to eradicate poverty is less likely to succeed because the mainstream neoinstitutional approach mistakenly assumes that social capital necessarily benefits poor people. This inadequacy calls for a re-assessment of human motivations, institutional dynamics and structural complexity in social capital building. Using ethnographic and participatory methods, this book calls for an exploration of ‘unseen’ social capital which is intended to challenge the mainstream understanding of ‘seen’ social capital. As such this book is useful to policy makers and practitioners.
Trade Review‘Sam Wong presents a rich, readable and thought provoking account of the differential patterning of social capital amongst Chinese migrants in Hong Kong.’ – Dr Frances Cleaver, Senior Lecturer, Bradford Centre for International Development, University of Bradford, UK ‘Sam Wong’s work brings a sorely-needed fresh perspective to thinking about social capital – how it works and who it works for – that moves away from preoccupations solely with civic organisations to focus on everyday dynamic interactions between agency, structure and institution’ – Prof Rosalind Edwards, Director of the Families and Social Capital ESRC Research Group, London South Bank University.
Table of ContentsSummary contents - 6 Detailed contents - 8 Acknowledgements - 14 Preface - 16 Ch. 1: Building a 'Pro-Poor' Social Capital Framework - 18 Ch. 2: Ethnography - Alternative Research Methodology - 48 Ch. 3: Historical and Cultural Contexts of Mainland Chinese Migrants in Hong Kong - 74 Ch. 4: Investing in Social Capital? - Considering the Paradoxes of Agency in Social Exchange - 98 Ch. 5: 'Getting the Social Relations Right'? - Understanding Institutional Plurality and Dynamics - 124 Ch. 6: Rethinking Authority and Power in the Structures of Relations - 148 Ch. 7: Conclusions and Policy Implications - 174 Notes - 196 Bibliography - 198 Annex 1 - 210 Annex 2: List of Tables - 214 Index - 218
