Social norms, the unwritten codes specifying what is deemed appropriate or inappropriate within a particular context, are fundamental to the functioning of communities and organisations. Serving as the bedrock of social order, these norms establish the parameters for acceptable behaviour and contribute to the overall cohesion and stability of social structures. The intrinsic value of social norms, coupled with the informal social sanctions that reinforce them, cannot be overstated, as no human society could exist without them.
Strong social capital is associated with norms that encourage prosocial actions, discourage exploitation, and create connection and cooperation for mutual benefit. These norms provide a shared framework that not only guides individual behaviour but also cultivates an environment conducive to collaborative efforts and collective well-being. Social norms can exist or relate to social groups of any size. Even a relationship between two people is guided by interpersonal norms.
Social norms are supported by sanctions for violation of these norms. Norms rely on sanctions for their existence because, without punishment for violation, a norm is unlikely to exist. For a social norm to be sustainable, it must provide suitable incentives and disincentives for its observation. This requires deviators from the desired behaviour to be sanctioned, and for a person who fails to sanction to in turn be sanctioned. Norms are enforced due to the expectation that violations of the behavioural standard will be punished. The expectation of sanctioning is essential to the maintenance of social norms.
For social capital, norms related to trust and trustworthiness are very important. Almost all meanings of social capital emphasise the importance of trust and some equate social capital with trust. Trust, in many aspects, is deeply entwined with normative considerations, reflecting shared expectations and ethical standards within a community or society. Trust can be reputational but other aspects of trust are normative. Normative aspects of trust arise from a collective understanding of what is deemed acceptable, appropriate, and morally acceptable in social interactions. Trust is not merely transactional; it is deeply embedded in the normative fabric that defines right and wrong within a given social context.
Communities that share normative values and ethical principles tend to exhibit higher levels of trust, creating an environment conducive to collaboration, resource-sharing, and mutual support. Norms shape expectations regarding reliability, honesty, and integrity, contributing to the normative foundation of trust. When individuals conform to established norms, demonstrating consistency and morally acceptable action, trust is fostered. Violations of these norms can lead to a breakdown of trust, as they challenge the shared ethical expectations that underpin social interactions.
Trust is essential for the existence of social capital since trust is vital for any form of social interaction or exchange. Effective collective action requires high levels of trust and perceptions of trustworthiness. Trust makes it possible to maintain peaceful and stable social relations that are the basis for collective behaviour and productive cooperation(Newton, 2001). It would be virtually impossible to have any form of community-based forestry without trust, and all social and economic activity requires at least a minimum level of trust. Without trust, actors would not be confident that others would uphold their expectations and obligations and would be unwilling to participate.
Social organisations can play an important role in perceptions of trust and trustworthiness. Organisations of all types can facilitate the development of shared norms and shared understandings that provide the foundation for perceptions of trust and trustworthiness. Social organisations can mitigate many perceived vulnerabilities, creating confidence in the degree of trustworthiness. Organisations are often evaluated based on normative criteria, reflecting societal expectations regarding fairness, transparency, and accountability. When these entities align with normative standards, they instil trust among their members and stakeholders.
