hi susan et al.
thanks for this. let me reply by saying that
1) collective actions by groups of humans can be evil or good- just as individual actions can be. but the concept of social capital implies (though maybe not very forcefully) that the action taken is for the "good". actions that produce violence and conflict are highly problematic here- are some wars just? for example. the issue is recognized by putnam et al who note that social capital comes in two forms- bonding and bridging. bonding links members of a group together, bridging links different groups together. the implication is that bonding social capital, in the absense of bridging social capital, leads to some of the problems you note below.
2) solidarity is, to my understanding, the equivalent of all for one, one for all. it applies especially in circumstances where one group is exploiting/oppressing another. as i noted above, simply bonding together (even in the face of oppression) does always not guarantee good action. but in its heart, though perhaps not strongly enough, solidarity is about life affirmation, not death and destruction. for me solidarity will always be mean "good" collective bonding and action and it must not mean homogeneity. its what we should strive to create.
3) so where does this leave us? the capacity for collective non-violent action and problem solving, with social justice and humanity and humility in mind, is what we need to improve the lot and life and health of people who are now oppressed/exploited/neglected/excluded. the more we have that, the better things will be for all. but what to call it? how about "capacity for collective non-violent action and problem solving, with social justice, humanity and humility in mind"--- roles right off the tongue..
ken
-----Original Message-----
From: Social Determinants of Health on behalf of Susan Ladwig
Sent: Tue 10/24/2006 1:25 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [SDOH] Income or Social Capital as Social Determinants of Health
Ken, a thought experiment:
If we insist that social capital equals solidarity or "the capacity for
people to have enough trust in each other to be able to work together to solve
the problems they mutually confront" then one could argue that members of
gangs, or a cohesive community of illegal drug users also possess high levels of
solidarity or social capital according to this definition. But mere
presence of social capital does not, in itself, guarantee health or better health
outcomes, as these examples should also make clear. In fact, one might argue
that social capital, or networks of individuals who work together to solve
common problems, often do so precisely in the absence of other structural
supports or safety nets provided by government, or outside democratic government
itself. Nazi Germany in the 1930s, or the American South in the 1860s had a
high degree of solidarity or conformity, did they not? And in these examples,
one could hypothesize that resolving conflicts is often very unhealthy ( or
fatal) for the dissenting parties involved, and that some invocations of
social capital or solidarity do indeed serve those with the most power, and
marginalize those without. There is currently much solidarity, networking or
social capital among the neo-liberal business class in America, as they try to
keep the growing problem of severe poverty and rising numbers of uninsured
from affecting their bottom line -- and the business elite certainly has much
influence and solidarity with our neo-liberal (conservative) government. Yet
all evidence indicates the resulting neo-liberal policies are detrimental
to population health.
More evidence that use of the concept "social capital" as it relates to
population health is problematic at best, and certainly not an unambiguously po
sitive force for better health. And how often throughout history has
"solidarity" substituted for "homogeneity?
Sue Ladwig
MPH candidate, University of Rochester
In a message dated 10/22/2006 11:28:21 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
hi all,
i must be missing something.
as i have understood social capital, i have taken it as the capacity for
people to have enough trust in each other to be able to work together to solve
the problems they mutually confront. in short, i have read it as a liberal
term for solidarity. it seems to me that we should insist on this meaning.
and it is in my mind very related to health. social capital/solidarity is
predicated on the history of prior efforts to solve social problems, and future
problems are structured by its presense or absense.
i suppose there are some uses of the term that try to paper over social
conflict between individuals, communities, classes and other social
organizations- this seems to me to be a corrupt definition from the start. there is no
social capital if there is unresolved conflict.
social capital, in the solidarity sense, can exist outside of government.
but if the government has no solidarity with the people- there is no social
capital that government can call on.
ken thompson
pittsburgh
-----Original Message-----
From: Social Determinants of Health on behalf of Vanessa Yu
Sent: Sat 10/21/2006 7:51 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [SDOH] Income or Social Capital as Social Determinants of Health
Alternatively, the presence of high levels of social capital
(self-sufficiency) within a group allow governments to defer
responsibility. When good health outcomes are apparent though,
governments are quick to accept accountability -- and as Dennis said,
when problems arise, communities are blamed.
Vanessa Yu
Quoting Dennis Raphael <[log in to unmask]>:
> Social capital is primarily an outcome of structural arrangements in
> society. It may be a mediator between these structural relations (i.e.
> income distribution, job security, democratic responsiveness) and health.
> It may even feed back to support these structural relations. But it is
not
> a cause of health in itself. It does not arise spontaneously, and it is
> certainly a minor (though potentially marginally useful) point at which to
> intervene in the service of health.
>
> It is also a de-politicized approach that allows those in authority to
> blame communities for their own problems. It is not surprising that Robert
> Putnam was a frequent guest of the Clinton White House. Social capital can
> help serve those in power.
>
> See four articles on community quality of life by yours truly at:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/wjg8l
>
>
> dr
>
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