ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the role of kernels of commonality in the production of different kinds of social capital. Common to all sympathetic relationships are shared trait's kernels of commonality. Shared traits define areas of agreement that can lead to socio-emotional exchanges that develop relationships of sympathy or social capital. Inherited kernels of commonality are determined by the conditions of one's birth rather than by one's purposeful choice or coincidental connections. Societies organized around earned kernels tend to be more flexible than those organized around inherited kernels because they admit change. Large numbers of people sharing the same kernel may detract from the kernels uniqueness and diminish its importance. Linking social capital exists in semi-socially close relationships and is most often based on temporary earned kernels and moderate-term commitments. Using kernels of commonality makes evident that social capital can be both negative and positive and does not necessarily have to be symmetric.
