ABSTRACT
A growing literature has examined the effects of violent conflict on social capital, and the roles of social capital in conflict prevention and peacebuilding (Coletta and Cullen 2000; Sawyer 2005). But the paradoxical roles of social capital in conflict and conflict resolution have been insufficiently considered. It is clear from the case studies presented in Part I of this volume that social capital can serve to fuel violent conflict. It may be argued that some social capital is necessary in order to wage war or other violent protest. It is equally clear from the case studies presented in Part II of this volume that social capital can support conflict resolution. Indeed, conflict resolution is impossible in the absence of social capital. Some degree of bonding social capital necessarily precedes the development of bridging social capital (Bolin et al. 2004). What distinguishes social capital that supports violence, and that which supports conflict resolution? This chapter contributes to our understanding of distinguishing characteristics by examining the fundamentally different functions of social capital as it is exercised in exclusive and inclusive network structures in efforts to satisfy basic human needs.
