Studies of Social Capital, Projection of Doctrines, and Sociological References

Almost all studies on social capital are characterized by the absence of incorporation of the fundamentals of social sciences in the strict sense. In addition, it is based on certain doctrines, especially those linked to the so-called political “pluralism”. Among the main effects of this detachment from the theoretical and epistemological bases of the social sciences, the inexistence of the formulation and use of assumptions based on rationalism and, therefore, that which refer to universality stands out. In more immediate terms, this results in the strong redundancy character of this type of study. An introductory item exposes some general problems and limits in the relationship between this type of study and the social sciences. Next, the question of the multidimensionality of social structures and the position of these studies concerning this problem are discussed. The following item discusses the relationships with the revaluation of social integration in its specific perspective. Finally, the final item addresses some problems arising from the limitations of the theoretical foundations of these studies, particularly concerning the agent's emergency conditions.