ABSTRACT
Social capital theories have stimulated renewed interest in the world of voluntary associations and community associations. The core claim of Putnam's account is that typical face-to-face deliberative activities and horizontal collaboration within voluntary organizations far removed from the political sphere—exemplified by sports clubs, agricultural cooperatives, and philanthropic groups—promote interpersonal trust. In turn, trust is seen as cementing the bonds of social life, as the foundation for building social communities, civil society, and democratic governance. Participation in associational life is thought to generate individual rewards, such as career opportunities and support networks, as well as community goods, by fostering the capacity of people to work together on local problems.
