ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on social capital among groups and the community at large, rather than the social capital of individuals, which often depends on individual support networks. The European Commission has found that a significant proportion of Europe's economy—otherwise known as the "social economy"—includes a wide variety of structurally divergent organizations, including cooperatives, mutual societies, nonprofit associations, foundations, and social enterprises. Some scholars have demonstrated that social networks and social contacts deliver positive experiences, strengthen one's feeling of security, and reinforce the perception that one's life is predictable and stable. Establishing weak ties requires cognitive flexibility and an ability to function in complex organizations. Weak ties are powerful because they bridge the gap between groups, resulting in the emergence of productive opportunities that may have been unavailable in tightly knit groups. Trust is seen as an essential dimension of social capital.
