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Exploring Social Capital

Navigating the diverse concept of social capital
By Lindon Robison and Tristan Claridge

This weekly series explores various topics related to social capital, navigating the divergent perspectives stemming from their academic disciplines. While economic and sociological viewpoints may appear irreconcilable at times, Lindon and Tristan skillfully bridge the gap, seeking mutual understanding and consensus on pivotal issues.

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Latest Episode

Exploring Social Capital Podcast
Exploring Social Capital Podcast
Social exchanges and social capital
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About the Show

Join Lindon Robison, Emeritus Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics at Michigan State University, and Tristan Claridge, President of the International Social Capital Association, as they engage in illuminating discussions exploring the meaning and application of social capital theories and related topics.  Lindon and Tristan, driven by a shared passion to better understand and apply the social capital concept, bring their distinct backgrounds—economics and sociology—to the table, fostering captivating conversations on the challenges and rewards of visiting social relationships through the lens of social capital.

In each episode, Lindon and Tristan delve into the complex and diverse concept of social capital. Their conversations not only unravel the meaning and significance of key theories, concepts, issues, and events but also contribute to a broader exploration of understanding and recognizing the intrinsic social value that underlies our interconnected world. Tune in as these two thought leaders navigate the intersection of economics and sociology, offering unique insights and fostering a shared appreciation for the profound impact of social capital.

Meet the Hosts

Lindon Robison

Emeritus Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics at Michigan State University

Tristan Claridge

Director of the Institute for Social Capital and President of the International Social Capital Association

New Episodes

Stay tuned for a new episode every Sunday as we continue to explore the intriguing and valuable concept of social capital.

Related Resources

We will provide additional details, resources, and links that relate to our podcast here.

Robison, L.J., Oliver, J.R. Rationalizing predictably irrational choices: the social capital synthesis. Ann Reg Sci 70, 611–631 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00168-019-00945-8

All Episodes

Social exchanges and social capital

Ep 15. This episode explores how social capital influences the nature and outcomes of various types of exchanges, challenging the traditional views held by neoclassical economics. Lindon begins by reflecting on his training in neoclassical economics, which often emphasizes selfish behavior and voluntary exchanges. He contrasts this with the broader perspective offered by social capital, […]

Social Capital and the Economy

Ep 14. In this episode Tristan Claridge and Lindon Robison delve into the core concept of social capital and its critical role in the economy. They explore how social capital influences the production and exchange of commodities, highlighting that relationships and social connections are fundamental to economic productivity and efficiency. Lindon, trained as a neoclassical […]

Relationships, needs, and motives in social capital theories

Ep 13. This episode explores how relationships significantly influence human behavior and decision-making, particularly within economic contexts. Lindon Robison shares insights from his research on farmland markets, highlighting that the price people are willing to sell their land for varies greatly depending on their relationship with the buyer. For instance, landowners often offer substantial discounts […]

Social Capital and Relationships

Ep 12. This episode explores what we mean by relationships when discussing social capital. There is general agreement that social capital has to do with relationships, but some theories focus on social relationships and others more on the ways in which people are connected. In a previous episode we discussed the core idea of social […]

Social capital and behavioral economics - rationalizing irrational choices

Ep 11. Social capital theories have similarities with behavioral economics. Since the early theories of social capital, it has focused on the actions of individuals and groups that deviate from neoclassical economic theorising – when economic agents “misbehave” or make “predictably irrational” choices. This is similar to behavioral economics, which is the study of the […]

Change of social capital over time

Ep 10. Social capital takes time to build and can depreciate over time without maintenance. However, there are factors that sustain social capital, such as nostalgia and attachment value, and other factors that diminish social capital, such as uncertainty associated with a lack of current understanding of the nature of the relationship and connections to […]

Social capital, attachment value, and symbols

Ep 9. Social capital relates to how people are connected and the relationships between people. One way we are connected is through symbols or items that have value beyond market value because of the meaning and significance attributed to them. Where this meaning is related to connections between people, it is an important component of […]

The role of commonalities in social capital

Ep 8. Commonalities are an important part of many theories of social capital. For example, bonding social capital is often understood as connections between people who are similar. And the concept of homophily is often cited. Other theories may refer to shared understandings – that is, understandings that we share – and therefore have in […]

How is social capital created and maintained?

Ep 7. In this episode, we are going to dive into the nature of social capital as a stock and flow. Just as physical capital never works alone, neither does social capital. To produce and deliver a relational good or flow related to social capital requires other resources. We need a human relationship along with […]

Is social capital everywhere and everything?

Ep 6. Donne wrote that no man (or woman) is an island. We are all connected. Once we acknowledge that we are all connected–that what one person does undoubtedly affects someone else–once we make that adjustment in our thinking, we must recognize that we are all involved in a great social capital experiment. It was […]

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