Economic content of social capital in the light of interdisciplinary approaches

Abstract

Importance: possibilities for studying the economic component of the content of social capital based on interdisciplinary approaches. Purpose: based on a retrospective analysis of the development of the concept of social capital, to justify the need to carry out an economic analysis of social capital using the results of sociological and political science research to identify its economic content and capital essence. Research design: the features of modern historical conditions are shown, expanding the understanding of the variety of factors influencing the behavior of economic agents and determining the need to include in economic analysis processes that go beyond the exchange of values. The role of interdisciplinary research in the development of the theory of social capital is determined. Approaches to defining individual and public social capital are systematized in order to highlight their specific characteristics. Results: the stages of formation of the concept of social capital are highlighted within the framework of the general theory of capital as an economic resource with an emphasis on the interdisciplinarity of this area of research, including the methodology and tools of economic, sociological and political sciences. This situation is explained by the specifics of the phenomenon “social capital” itself, the definition of which is based on social relations considered by individuals as a source of obtaining benefits associated with the use of their resources. A systematization of approaches to defining social capital is proposed in order to highlight the specifics of individual and public social capital, the study of which requires the use of specific tools developed by various social sciences. It is concluded that the economic content of research should be based on an understanding of the common and different between economic forms of social capital and the social conditions of its formation, use and reproduction. Economic research will be made by raising the question of the results of the «reproduction» of social capital, which should always be aimed at determining changes associated with the well-being of society and the individual.