social capital

Agnes C. Rola and Merlyne M. PaunlaguiProfessor and University Researcher,Institute of Strategic Planning and Policy StudiesCollege of Public Affairs, University of the Philippines Los Baños http://doi.org/10.57043/transnastphl.2002.5094 Abstract Social capital means different things to different people. At the conceptual level, the current debate stems from two issues: 1) Is social capital capital? 2) Is social capital social? Admittedly, economists and sociologists would have different perspectives on this concept, rooted in the theoretical framework of their individual disciplines. Measuring social capital for development policy is thus dependent on how one perceives the concept to be. This paper attempts to “demystify” the measurement of social capital by illustrating the estimation of an index that captures both the economic (capital) and social aspects of social capital. Through a literature review, the origins and evolution of the concept will be explored in reference to its impact or potential impact on poverty alleviation. The empirical exercise will be based on the study of agrarian reform communities (ARC) and a set of control non-ARCs in the Philippines. The paper will also attempt to point out future needs for research and methodology development in further understanding and quantifying social capital as a policy variable. Keywords