What is social capital?

• A. The value of networks and norms enabling cooperation; it provides information, support, and access to resources.
• B. A form of currency in market exchanges.
• C. Personal wealth.
• D. Legal rights guaranteed by the state.

Answer: (C)

Social capital is the value that comes from our social networks and the norms that guide how people cooperate within them. It encompasses the trust, reciprocity, and shared understanding that make it easier for people to work together. Because of these networks and norms, individuals get information, emotional and practical support, and access to resources they might not reach on their own. It’s not about money or assets, and it’s not about legal rights guaranteed by the state. Think of it as the social fabric that lowers the costs of cooperation—neighbors sharing help, friends providing job leads, or communities organizing effectively because people trust each other and know how to coordinate.