Racial Diversity and Social Capital
Equality and Community in America

This 2007 book connects and critically assesses two bodies of research - social capital and racial diversity.

Rodney E. Hero (Author)

9780521698610, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 26 March 2007

220 pages, 14 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm, 0.31 kg

'… Hero's findings are socially very relevant. Besides, they are fascinating and thought-provoking for all scholars and students interested in social capital and racial diversity. The author's joint evaluation of the racial diversity and social capital perspectives make this work a significant contribution to both social capital and racial diversity research; two perspectives of research which have hitherto mostly been applied separately.' Sociology

Race and racial diversity are important aspects of America and have been shown to substantially affect social relations and the political system, often in ways inconsistent with the values of equality. However, greater civic association and a general sense of community, embodied in the concept of social capital, are said to have tremendous beneficial effects and profoundly influence American society. This 2007 study juxtaposes and critically assesses two bodies of research that have reached different conclusions on these issues. Is America's legacy of racial inequality an 'evil twin' of the benefits of social capital? By analysing the social outcomes for racial minorities, in addition to other dimensions of American politics, the author shows that the impact of racial diversity consistently outweighs that of social capital.

1. Introduction
2. The social capital thesis
3. The racial diversity thesis
4. Examining social outcomes, and civic and economic equality
5. Voter turnout and other forms of participation in context
6. Public policy outputs
7. Conclusions.

Subject Areas: Politics & government [JP], Sociology & anthropology [JH], Ethnic studies [JFSL]