Unlike the America of twenty-five years ago, we tend to be more isolated. We live at greater distance from our family. Our increased mobility decreases the number of long-term friendships. We watch more TV and know fewer neighbors by name. We are less likely to be active in civic organizations and recreation clubs.
Communities have physical capital in their buildings and natural resources.
They have human capital in their citizens. They also have social capital in the multiple networks of relationships that cross and crisscross the community. If the networks are sparse or tightly bounded, social capital is low. But if there is a wealth of relationships, and if those relationships bridge many of the typical barriers that divide us, social capital is high. Richmond Hill builds social capital in metropolitan Richmond.