ABSTRACT
Social capital has been defined in many ways by a number of theorists, but it is broadly accepted to consist of the relationships and networks that people have within a community, the social norms and trust that exist within a community and the resources that community members have access to. Three particular types of social capital have been identified – bridging, bonding and linking social capital. However, social capital also has potentially negative outcomes including social exclusion, social divisions, downward levelling norms (where already marginalised individuals are discouraged from seeking further integration into mainstream society) and power asymmetry. Festivals have been proposed as places where stocks of social capital may be increased; however, festivals may also act as spaces of exclusion, thus reducing social capital among marginalised or excluded groups. This chapter considers the ways in which festivals may contribute to social capital within a community. Festivals appear to strengthen existing bonds but are not particularly good at helping individuals or communities to develop new networks and relationships.
